HC Deb 14 November 1944 vol 404 cc1777-8
24. Mr. Tinker

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that many of those who got their discharge before the recent order of fitting out for clothes, etc., feel they are entitled to receive some consideration as they were not adequately compensated at the time; and if he will give favourable consideration to these cases.

27. Wing-Commander Errington

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 5244027, ex-Sergeant F. B. Hussey, of the K.R.R.C., was discharged from the Army on 25th September, was suffering from bronchitis and has been refused a raincoat or overcoat; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the issue of overcoats to discharged soldiers shall not be refused merely on the grounds that they were discharged before 16th October, 1944.

Sir J. Grigg

These two Questions raise, in a slightly different form, the point of giving retrospective effect to the recent improvement in regard to civilian clothing given to soldiers on discharge. As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wycombe (Sir A. Knox) on 3rd October it is not practicable to do this. Whatever date is fixed for the introduction of such an improvement, there are bound to be complaints from those who have been dealt with before the fixed date. On the particular point of ex-Sergeant Hussey, I am investigating the circumstances to see whether under the regulations then in force he could have been given an overcoat, and will let my hon. and gallant Friend know the result in due course.

Mr. Tinker

Will my right hon. Friend follow up the question, as there is a lot of dissatisfaction among people who have not had the same treatment as others?

Sir J. Grigg

I have, I assure my hon. Friend, given it very serious consideration, but it is a dilemma which always arises after conditions are improved. The question of retrospection always arises. It is very rarely practicable and it always produces a crop of hard cases.

Wing-Commander Errington

Will my right hon. Friend consider the case of Sergeant Hussey, particularly in view of the fact that the man was actually suffering from bronchitis; and is he aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction at the way these men are treated?

Sir J. Grigg

I do not think that my hon. and gallant Friend could have heard my answer, which I will repeat for him— On the particular point of ex-Sergeant Hussey, I am investigating the circumstances to see whether under the regulations then in force he could have been given an overcoat, and will let my hon. and gallant Friend know the result in due course.

Mr. Evelyn Walkden

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he will be treading on very dangerous ground if he departs from the broad principle of the datum line already laid down?

Sir J. Grigg

That is my impression.