§ 109. Mr. Championasked the Secretary of State for War if he will make arrangements to ensure that every soldier serving in the Far East will be given a period of leave in this country after 12 months' service there.
§ 144. Mr. A. Edward Daviesasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the discontent arising from the infrequency of home leave for men serving in the Far East; and whether he will improve arrangements to give fairer treatment compared with men serving in Europe and the Near East.
§ Mr. BellengerI regret that I cannot under present conditions of manpower and shipping, forecast any immediate major improvement in the present arrangements, but I hope that the position will improve in the future.
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Mr. Vaneasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in commands overseas where it is not possible for all ranks to be granted leave during their normal tour of duty, such as India, those men who have not been granted home leave will either have their tour of foreign duty shortened by an appropriate number of weeks or be granted additional leave on release.
§ Mr. BellengerNo, Sir. While I regret that it is not at present possible for all soldiers serving in India and the Far East to be granted leave during their overseas tour, I could not consider reducing their period of overseas service, which is already down to three years, for this reason. Leave, as a matter of principle, is not cumulative, and I could not therefore agree to add to release or other leave in compensation for leave which a soldier could not be granted while overseas.