HC Deb 22 November 1949 vol 470 cc13-4W
Mr. Cole

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Regular Army personnel in overseas theatres serve for a period of three to three and a half years, as compared with two and a half years in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force; and though it may be difficult under existing conditions to reduce the overseas tour of duty for Regular Army personnel, if he will consider making some compensation, such as additional leave on return home from an overseas tour of duty.

Mr. M. Stewart:

Consideration has previously been given to reducing the overseas tour for the Regular Army to the same period as that for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, but owing to the different conditions prevailing this was not found to be practicable. It has, however, been arranged that with effect from early in 1950 the basic overseas tour for the Regular Army will be stabilised at three years and detailed instructions will shortly be issued. On ' reversion to the home establishment, after service overseas, Regular Army officers and other ranks are eligible for disembarkation leave, the length of which varies with the period of overseas service. The scale of disembarkation leave for the Royal Air Force is the same as that for the Army.