asked the Minister for Defence whether in special cases men from the congested areas serving with the Defence Forces will be allowed to return to their holdings to assist in the tillage campaign, and, if in view of the urgency of this matter, he will have all such applications speedily examined.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Releasing Soldiers for Tillage Work.
Arrangements have been made whereby reservists on permanent service and men enlisted for the duration of the emergency, who are required in their civilian capacity for the sowing or harvesting of crops, may be granted agricultural leave for those purposes at the discretion of the military authorities.
All applications for such leave are, of course, examined as expeditiously as possible.
Would the Minister indicate whether, if such leave is granted, the soldiers will receive their normal soldiers' pay, or whether their dependents will receive marriage allowances?
No, not while on that particular leave. We have arranged that soldiers applying for leave for the purpose of carrying out the sowing of seed or harvesting of crops will be given not more than one month's leave, either at the beginning of the year or at harvest time, but no pay will be given to them nor will marriage allowance be allowed during that period.