HC Deb 08 February 1944 vol 396 cc1605-6
15. Sir L. Lyle

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether, and in what way, hospital treatment still affects the ranking of either officers or non-commissioned officers.

Sir J. Grigg

Officers, warrant officers and non-commissioned officers wounded in action retain their temporary or acting rank as the case may be for 3 months while they are absent from duty. Sick officers retaining their temporary rank for 61 days and their acting rank for 28 days. Warrant officers or non-commissioned officers absent from duty owing to sickness for less than 21 days retain their acting rank.

Sir L. Lyle

Does not my right hon. Friend think it is very hard indeed when a man who has served his country very well and has been wounded as a sergeant finds himself de-graded to corporal when he has to go into hospital?

Sir J. Grigg

There have been recent alleviations of the rules, as my hon. Friend knows. It is a very large question, which I would be quite prepared to deal with on a more suitable occasion.

Sir Herbert Williams

If a Minister gets influenza, does he become a Parliamentary Private Secretary while he is in bed?

Mr. Graham White

Will the Minister give serious consideration to this matter because the cumulative effect of this grievance has great significance and is one of the matters which had a considerable influence in a recent by-election?

Sir J. Grigg

The Government, as a whole, gave every consideration to this matter in connection with the general debate and inquiry into these questions some time ago.