§ 94. Sir W. Darlingasked the Secretary of State for War why, in 22 VRD camp and others, English soldiers were granted Christmas leave plus two days extra, while Scots got neither Christmas nor New Year's leave of equivalent period.
§ Mr. BellengerIn the unit named, men had the option of taking Christmas or New Year leave. Those on Christmas leave were due to return on 29th December and the others to depart on 30th December. However, on the 27th December my Department was asked to delay the return of soldiers on leave to ease the unexpected strain on the railways and consequently men due to return on 29th or 30th December were given two days' extension. At No. 22 V.R.D. the New Year party could not be allowed to leave before the others returned and they were, therefore, sent on leave on 1st January. They received exactly the same leave, including the two extra days, as the Christmas party and everybody in the unit had either Christmas or New Year leave.