§ MR. LEAasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether any officer in receipt of full pay and on active service can obtain leave of absence for several months at a time, in order to prosecute political objects; if so, whether such leave is granted by the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, without consultation with the Secretary of State for War?
§ MR. CARDWELLSir, leave of absence, within the rules laid down by the Queen's regulations, is granted to officers by His Royal Highness the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief without reference to me. I do not know what my hon. Friend points to particularly. Members of this House who are in the Army obtain leave during the whole Session of Parliament. With regard to other officers desiring leave, the Commander-in-Chief is guided by considerations of the requirements of the service, and not by any reference to the political objects they may have in view.