§ Mr. Kingasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that where extensions of leave are granted and announced at short notice through the B.B.C., R.T.Os. have no authority to issue warrants to cover the return journey of soldiers who have arrived at the station in good faith; and whether he will remedy the situation.
§ Mr. LawsonIf my hon. Friend is referring to extensions of leave granted to personnel returning to overseas stations after a period of leave in the United Kingdom, whose sailing is postponed in consequence of bad weather or other causes, I am aware that. there is no authority to issue return warrants to enable the soldier to return home. Every endeavour is made, by means of broadcasts, notices in the papers and at the principal railway stations to prevent men leaving their homes when the return journey has to be postponed and, in cases where notice cannot be made effective by these means, they are offered the choice of proceeding to the port and waiting 24 hours there, breaking their journeys in London, with free military1670W accommodation if required, or returning home at their own expense. As the men have already completed the full period of their authorised leave, I regret I am unable to authorise an addition to the approved cost of this leave by the grant of an additional free journey.