asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the resentment felt by parents of new recruits who receive seven days' leave at Easter who will require to pay two-thirds of their railway fares to Glasgow and back; that one constituent of the hon. Member for Shettleston has two young boys serving and will require to pay £6 8s. for her sons' fares; and what steps he will take to mitigate this injustice.

All airmen are entitled to regular periods of privilege leave, and when they take this leave they are given a warrant to travel free. During the present Easter period, the normal 48 hour week-end leave has been lengthened by several days, in order to relieve congestion on the trains. Since this is additional to normal privilege leave, no warrant to travel free is granted; but airmen can, in fact, make the double journey at single fare. Airmen can, of course, remain on their stations over Easter, if they so desire.

Is the Minister aware that when young recruits go to a depot it is desirable that they should be able to take advantage of the first opportunity they have of getting over that feeling of home sickness, and that, therefore, they should be able to go on leave without having to ask their parents, who are often in poor circumstances, for the money? Will the Minister take steps to see that in the initial stages free warrants are granted?

It would be difficult for me to depart from the principle which I have explained. It would add heavily to the Exchequer charges for this purpose, and I do not think it could be justified in present circumstances.

In cases like this, would not the right hon. Gentleman consider tacking on the ordinary Easter leave to their quarterly leave, either bringing one forward or delaying the other for a week or two, so that warrants are available?

Yes, Sir, it the airmen desire that, it can be considered.