Scottish Units, Cyprus (Leave)

Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 24 July 1956.

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Photo of Mr Hector Hughes Mr Hector Hughes , Aberdeen North 12:00, 24 July 1956

asked the Secretary of State for War how many members of Her Majesty's Forces belonging to Scottish units now serving in Cyprus have applied for permission to spend their leave in Great Britain; how many of these applications have been granted and on what financial and other conditions; and how many of the applicants have in fact spent their leave in Great Britain.

Photo of Mr Anthony Head Mr Anthony Head , Carshalton

About 75 have paid then-own fares and have come home from Cyprus for leave. A few applications have been refused, mainly for absence without leave.

Photo of Mr Hector Hughes Mr Hector Hughes , Aberdeen North

Apart from those who have paid their own fares, what arrangements are made in these cases for the transport home of such soldiers?

Photo of Mr Anthony Head Mr Anthony Head , Carshalton

On the free leave scheme?

Photo of Mr Anthony Head Mr Anthony Head , Carshalton

Men who qualify for the free leave scheme are transported home by the trooping service, but this battalion has been out there only a year, and so the men do not qualify for this scheme yet.