§ Mr. Chetwyndasked the Secretary of State for War how many months must a soldier serve in Germany before being entitled to home leave.
§ Mr. ShinwellSubject to the exigencies of the Service, National Service men called up before 1949 may be granted leave to the United Kingdom after eight months' service in Germany, provided they have a minimum of six weeks' service to complete on their return to duty. Subject to the latter proviso there is no qualifying period for the grant of leave to regulars. The scale of leave for National Service men called up since 1948 has not yet been settled.
§ Mr. Sharpasked the Secretary of State for War (1) what is the maximum period of service in the British Army on the Rhine and the various overseas stations before repatriation; what leave is normally granted; how much of this may be taken in the United Kingdom; and to what extent are free travel warrants provided;
(2) what leave is normally allowed to men serving in the United Kingdom; and how many free travel warrants a year are now allowed for this purpose.
§ Mr. ShinwellWith the exception of West Africa the normal period of overseas tour is at present 3 to 3½ years, service in North-West Europe counting as half. In West Africa the present tour is 18 months followed by 42 days' recuperative leave in the United Kingdom if the individual volunteers for a second200W tour. Full information concerning eligibility for leave and travel facilities at public expense is contained in Army Council Instructions 1123, 1124 and 1125 of 1948, copies of which are in the Library of the House. The scale of leave for National Service men called up in 1949 has not yet been settled.