§ 4. Mr. W. BAKERasked the Minister of Pensions the total number of men in the hospitals of the Ministry who are in a physical condition to enjoy leave at Christmas; and whether, having regard to the small cost which would be involved, he will consider the possibility of granting free travelling facilities to every man who is in a position to travel at Christmas?
§ Major TRYONIf, as I presume, the hon. Member refers to all men in hospitals, the cost of whose treatment is borne by the Ministry, who number about 10,000, exclusive of the insane in mental hospitals, I regret that it would be impossible to give the information asked for without a special census. With regard to the last part of the question, I fear that I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member by my hon. and gallant Friend on the 8th instant.
§ Mr. BAKERIs not the Minister in a position to state the number of men who will be entitled to leave at their own request this Christmas season, and would it not be much more satisfactory if his Department would show a little generosity in this respect?
§ Major TRYONThe hon. Member is not entitled to infer that we have any lack of generosity in the treatment of these men. The detailed information for which he asks could not be given without taking a census of the hospitals.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIn those cases in which the granting of leave to men during 1591 the Christmas period will not endanger their health, will the right hon. Gentleman give instructions to the authorities to grant it?
§ Major TRYONThe usual arrangements for Christmas leave have been issued.
§ Mr. MACKINDERWill the right hon. Gentleman give a definite pledge of generous treatment to allow them to return home?
§ Major TRYONI have already informed the hon. Member that the suggestion of lack of generosity is entirely without foundation.
§ 26. Mr. TINKERasked the Minister of Pensions why epileptics under treatment at the Ministry of Pensions hospital, Maghull, Liverpool, have been refused Christmas leave owing to the fact that they have previously been fined for some breach of the regulations of the institution, and are thus being punished twice for the same offence; and why epileptics from Maghull and neurasthenics from other institutions have been informed that they must travel home in crowded excursion trains, and that in cases where a man has not had leave for more than three months and less than six months, only half the return excursion fare will be allowed, and not a warrant for the single journey as provided in the regulations?
§ Major TRYONThe hon. Member has been misinformed; in no case has Christmas leave been refused on the grounds stated, the grant or refusal of leave being determined entirely on medical grounds. It is not the case that patients have been informed to the effect suggested. Arrangements have, however, been made at the instance of, and for the convenience as well as saving to, the men themselves, by which advantage is being taken of the travelling facilities at reduced fares which will be made available by the railway companies at this season.
§ 28. Colonel DAYasked the Minister of Pensions whether, irrespective of the distance the home of the pensioner is from the institution where he is undergoing treatment, only four days will be allowed for Christmas leave; and, if so, will he consider the possibility of extending the 1592 leave to six days in cases where the institution in which treatment is being provided is more than 100 miles from the pensioner's home?
§ Major TRYONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I may add that I have already given instructions that where the journey is of exceptional distance involving overnight travelling, two additional nights" absence may be allowed.