§ Lieut.-Commander Joynson-Hicksasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in order to clear up the confusion caused by the series of instructions recently received by commanding officers at home concerning Christmas leave, he will state the proportion of officers and men entitled to Christmas leave; the proportion of those entitled who will be allowed to travel by rail; and whether all Christmas leave in excess of 48 hours is to be deducted from annual leave.
§ Mr. StracheyCommanding officers may permit as many officers and men as can be spared from duty to proceed on leave at Christmas. This year the proportion who may travel each day by rail is restricted, for all three Services at home, to 1¼ percent. of the unit strength except that on the 18th, 19th and 20th December 2¼ percent. may travel by rail. Leave of more than 48 hours at Christmas will, as at other times, count as annual leave.