§ 2. Mr. T. KENNEDYasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Scottish patients who are undergoing treatment in hospitals situated in the South of England have fewer opportunities of visiting their homes than the majority of English patients; that long distance travelling, even when leave is granted, is more expensive than the average patient can be expected to bear; and if he will consider the possibility of modifying the existing regulations so that Scottish patients, whose disabilities allow of their being granted leave, may be enabled to visit their homes at Christmas and the new year by the grant of free railway warrants?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)The leave arrangements already include the free grant of either two return tickets or four single tickets in the course of 12 months. Moreover, where the journey is one of exceptional dis- 1539 tance involving overnight travelling, two additional nights absence are allowed. I regret that I do not find it practicable to make any special exception to the general arrangements for the grant of leave from all our hospitals.