HC Deb 31 October 1944 vol 404 cc610-1
22. Mr. Walter Edwards

asked the Secretary of State for War, what leave, upon discharge, is granted to personnel of the Army discharged under paragraph 390 (XVIII) (a), K.R. 1940, and paragraph 390 (XXI) (b), K.R. 1940.

42. Mr. Stephen

asked the Secretary of State for War whether men invalided out of the Army without pension are granted full pay and allowances for the first eight weeks after their discharge, as would be the case in the event of their demobilisation.

Sir J. Grigg

Officers and other ranks invalided out of the Army are now given eight weeks' notice leave with full pay and allowances, irrespective of their entitlement to pension. Soldiers discharged under sub-paragraphs xviii (a) and xxi (b) of paragraph ago of King's Regulations are granted 14 days' terminal leave unless they are discharged for the purpose of immediate re-enlistment into other Armed Forces or into the Army on a regular engagement.

Mr. Edwards

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate the inadequacy of 14 days' leave for a man who is discharged from the Forces, first, to enable him to recuperate after his service, and secondly, to fit himself for civilian life; and will my right hon. Friend consider increasing that amount of leave?

Sir J. Grigg

Some of the cases covered by these two rather ambiguous paragraphs are well worthy of consideration, and in fact they are already being considered.

Mr. Shinwell

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why there should be any difference between the man discharged without pension and the man who is demobilised? Why cannot they receive the same treatment?

Sir J. Grigg

Some of them are discharged or released from the Forces immediately for the purpose of taking up a civil job. Some of them, though not under these particular paragraphs, are discharged for misconduct, and there is a very good case for treating them separately.

Mr. Shinwell

With these exceptions, which I recognise, will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether it is not possible, in the absence of misdemeanour or any other cause, to treat these men as if they were demobilised?

Sir J. Grigg

I said that I am considering these particular Regulations. The cases are so different I certainly cannot give a categorical assurance to cover them all, but I will reconsider whether some of them ought not to come under the regulation granting them the longer period of Service leave.