§ COLONEL KENNARDasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether it is the fact that an officer serving in a harbour ship at home is allowed the privilege of six weeks leave of absence from his ship, whereas the same privilege is denied to an officer serving in a harbour ship at Malta; and, if so, whether he will state the reason of the difference, or give any 1720 assurance that the inequality will be remedied in future?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, officers serving at home can be granted the six weeks' leave of absence referred to in the Question if their services can be spared, though leave is an indulgence to be granted or withheld as circumstances make it expedient. With regard to officers serving abroad, whether in harbour ships or any other class of ships, there are no regulations, except the article in the Queen's Regulations (747), which prescribes that—
Commanders-in-Chief will on their respective stations give such orders relative to leave as the climate or local circumstances may make expedient.It must be remembered that officers on foreign stations have a right to a week's full pay leave for every six months' service after their appointment ceases, a right which is not enjoyed in the case of home appointments.