§ 33 and 34. Mr. A. Edward Daviesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) what are the conditions or regulations involved and who is the final arbiter in determining whether an application for compassionate leave shall be granted to a marine serving overseas when it is reliably established that his parent is critically ill;
(2) why permission for compassionate leave was not granted to P.O./X127259 Marine Robert Mosedale, H.M.S. "Ocean," to visit his father, who lay critically ill, and about whom application had been made by the medical superintendent of the hospital in Stoke-on-Trent and by the local branch of the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association on the request of the parents in the middle of February last.
Mr. DugdaleNo precise regulations are laid down for the grant of compassionate leave. Such leave is, however, granted, if at all practicable, in cases where there is no other son or daughter at home. The final decision in all cases rests with the local Naval authorities, who have to take into consideration the requirements of the Service, as well as the wishes of the man and his relatives. In the case of Marine Mosedale, it was found that a daughter and son-in-law were already at home and the captain of the ship decided that he could not be given leave.
§ Mr. DaviesDoes my hon. Friend know that in this case the daughter had a small child and was not well and the son-in-law was not well? Does he appreciate that where there is only one son in the family it is most essential that the man should be permitted to go home, especially when he knows that a man in a ship nearby at Malta was permitted to go home, as a result of representations from his sister at home?
Mr. DugdaleIn this ease there was, as I say, another son present, but my noble Friend has decided to look into this case personally to see what the position was in regard to this particular rating.