Captain Pluģģeasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what shore leave is accorded to members of His Majesty's Navy; and how this compares with similar leave granted to the Army.
Mr. AlexanderThe amount of shore leave granted to members of H.M. Navy is necessarily dependent on operational and other conditions, but instructions have been given that, whenever possible, a minimum of 14 days' leave per year is to be given. There is no restriction on the maximum amount of leave which may be given from seagoing ships in Home Waters when circumstances allow of more being given, for example from a ship under repair. Leave on return from foreign service is granted on the scale of seven days' leave for each six months abroad, but foreign service leave in excess of 21 days is subject to recall owing to drafting requirements, unless the man has been abroad for four years when leave in excess of 28 days is subject to recall. Leave in stationary ships and shore establishments is regulated by local orders subject to the above quoted Admiralty instructions that a minimum of 14 days a year is to be granted. The leave given by the Home Depots is seven days every four months plus one long week-end a month. Leave in other Home Commands is dependent on local conditions, but local orders have been formed in the light of the above 187W scale. I am not aware that in practice the leave granted compares unfavourably with that which is given to the Army.