asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange that men who have qualified for 30 days' leave through service in M.E.F. are not cut down to 19 days because of being transferred to C.M.F. before leave is granted.

Men serving in M.E.L.F. are eligible for 30 days' leave in the United Kingdom once only during the overseas tour, provided they will still have four months to serve after returning to M.E.L.F. Men in C.M.F., however, get 38 days' leave in the United Kingdom each year, this leave being taken 19 days at a time. The leave in the United Kingdom of men transferred from M.E.L.F. to C.M.F. is therefore increased and not decreased.

As I had some difficulty in following the right hon. Gentleman's answer because I am not near enough to the amplifier, may I ask does he mean that arrangements are in force to prevent this anomaly from taking place?

No, Sir, it means that those who are far away from this country can get only one leave of 30 days, and that those who are nearer get two leaves a year, each of 19 days, making a total of 38 days.