§ 21. Mr. Walter Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has given further consideration to the question of the leave granted to Army personnel when discharged under paragraph 390 (XVIII) (a), K.R., 1940, and paragraph 390 (XXI) (b), K.R., 1940; and has he any statement to make.
§ Sir J. GriggThis question is being considered with the other Departments concerned.
§ Mr. EdwardsIn view of the fact that I asked a similar question as long ago as 31st October, will not my right hon. Friend do something to speed up this question because it is causing grave dissatisfaction among many men who have been discharged?
§ Sir J. GriggI am only one of the parties to this multi-angular discussion. As far as I am concerned, I will certainly do my best to accelerate it.
§ Mr. BellengerIs my right hon. Friend aware that in spite of the guarantee he gave the House last October, men being discharged as of no further use to the Army are being discharged under a different paragraph, and are precluded from getting their 56 days' leave and postwar credit?
§ Sir J. GriggMy guarantee has been carried out. The hon. Member must be referring to a different class of case than those referred to here who are at present under consideration with other Departments.
§ 28. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for War if he will expedite the consideration by the Treasury and other Departments of the position of sick and wounded Servicemen whose 56 days' discharge leave has to be spent in hospital.
§ Sir J. GriggI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Members for Rugby (Mr. W. J. Brown) and Wigan (Mr. Foster) on 13th February.
§ Mr. DribergCan the right hon. Gentleman say how much longer these discussions between the Departments concerned are going to last, because there are a considerable number of men affected at the present time?
§ Sir J. GriggI realise that, and I will certainly do my best to see that the consideration is expedited. As I said in relation to another matter, I am only one party to a multi-angular discussion.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsCould the right hon. Gentleman be a little more angular with his colleagues, and less angular with Members of this House?
§ Sir J. GriggThat is a suggestion which I am willing to consider.
§ Sir J. GriggNo, Sir; the difference between a general and a multi-angular discussion is best illustrated by the difference between a polygon and a circle.