§ 68. Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Defence what arrangements are being made by the Service Departments to ensure that Servicemen going on Christmas leave will be able to reach their homes in time, despite the closing-down of substantial sections of British Railways.
§ Mr. ProfumoI have been asked to reply.
It is traditional in the Armed Forces that those personnel not required for duty over Christmas, who wish to go home from duty stations in the U.K., shall be given leave in ample time for them to reach their homes. The cuts in rail services will, of course, have been taken into account by commanding officers in deciding the period of leave appropriate to individuals according to their circumstances.
Personnel required for duty over the Christmas period as a whole (Boxing 188W Day included) are drawn, as far as possible, from those who live near by and also from those who prefer to take compensatory leave over the New Year.