HC Deb 14 November 1944 vol 404 cc1778-80
28 and 29. Mr. Kenneth Lindsay

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what is the total number of officers and other ranks, separately and men only, who applied for compassionate leave during 1943 and the first six months of 1944, respectively; and the percentage of requests granted in each case;

(2) what is the total number of officers and other ranks, separately and men only, who applied for compassionate leave or reversion during 1943 and the first six months of 1944, respectively, which involved the care and welfare of children due to the mother's death, illness, confinement or desertion; and the percentage of requests granted in each case.

Sir J. Grigg

Compassionate leave for troops in this country is granted by officers commanding units. There is no compassionate leave from abroad but if the circumstances justify it a man may be posted back to this country for compassionate reasons. Applications may be made either through the War Office or by the men abroad to the Commander-in-Chief of the theatre in which he is serving. We have no figures for local applications and I cannot therefore give the statistics my hon. Friend desires.

Mr. Lindsay

Can my right hon. Friend give any statistics relating to this matter?

Sir J. Grigg

I can give my hon. Friend this information. The total number of cases received by the War Office since January, 1943, is about 20,000, and even to classify all this would, I am told, take two clerks at least three weeks.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Is my right hon. Friend aware that great consideration and sympathy are shown by the War Office in cases such as are mentioned in the Question? At least, that is my experience.

42. Miss Ward

asked the Secretary of State for War when he was made aware of the arrangements which had been made by the Commander-in-Chief Middle East with regard to the granting of compassionate leave.

Sir J. Grigg

It has all along been made clear that Commands overseas have full discretion to return men and women to this country on compassionate grounds and the General Routine Order circulated with the reply I gave the hon. Member last week was issued in accordance with this policy. But its Appendix was in effect a reproduction of a table originally produced by the War Office and sent to Commands for guidance last April.

Miss Ward

Does my right hon. Friend not think it rather peculiar, in view of the fact that the War Office keep control over many unimportant matters, that they should not have known that this extraordinary new procedure was being undertaken?

Sir J. Grigg

We did know about it, but only as a matter of general interest, and from the visits of a considerable number of officers from this country to that theatre.