§ 126. Mr. Piratinasked the Secretary of State for War why, in view of the high cost of living in Palestine, ration allowance to a Jewish soldier demobilised in Palestine has been cut from 6s. 8d. per day to 3s. 4d. per day; and if he will take steps to restore the higher allowance and ensure that such soldiers will receive the same demobilisation leave as other members of His Majesty's Forces demobilised in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. LawsonThere is no distinction between Jewish soldiers released in Palestine and other soldiers. It is true that 6s. 9d. per day is the normal ration allowance in Palestine for all troops who would otherwise draw rations from British sources, but the ration allowance issued during release leave in all areas is 3s. 5d. per day, irrespective of the nationality of the soldier or the country in which he is released. In determining the allowances to be issued on release leave it was necessary to give great weight to administrative simplicity in order to secure smooth and speedy demobilisation. The complexities which would have resulted from the use of many different rates of allowance had to be avoided and it was for this reason that it was decided that all personnel should receive the rate of ration allowance issued to soldiers on leave in the United Kingdom. Release leave is granted to soldiers released in Palestine under the same conditions as for those released elsewhere. In assessing overseas 169W service leave only service outside the Middle East area is counted as overseas service in the case of a soldier released in Palestine.