HC Deb 19 February 1952 vol 496 cc11-3
13. Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War for what reason the practice of granting compassionate postings has now been abandoned.

Mr. Head

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Stoke Newington and Hackney, North (Mr. Weitzman), on 5th February.

Mr. Hale

What was the nature of that reply?

Mr. Head

If the hon. Member would like to know and the House will bear with me, it was briefly this: that the entire Army, almost without exception, is now overseas and therefore compassionate postings, which are, without exception, to enable a man to be near his home, are extremely difficult to make, because there is nowhere to post the individual concerned.

Mr. Hale

Is the Secretary of State for War aware that I have been refused consideration of compassionate postings for people in this country on the ground that the whole system has now been altered? Was any prior announcement made to the House of Commons about this, or is this just another under-the-counter social cut?

Mr. Head

Compassionate postings were abolished in January, 1947. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] I will say it again. The system of compassionate posting was abolished in January, 1947. I cannot remember the exact terms of the announcement, but I assure the hon. Member that now, in place of compassionate posting, very serious consideration is given to the grounds on which a man may be either exempted or released for the very reasons for which, in the old days, compassionate postings were given.

Mr. Hale

Surely the Minister is aware, whatever the terminology might have been, that men were posted near to their homes on compassionate grounds right up to the date of the Election, and that we are now getting them refused on the ground that it cannot be done?

Mr. Head

The hon. Member's allegations are quite unworthy of him. [HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw."] There is no question of any change of policy whatever. The position is, and since January, 1947, has been, that the old method of compassionate posting was utterly impracticable because with all these men overseas—

Mr. Shinwell

indicated assent.

Mr. Head

I see the former Minister of Defence nodding his head. With all these men overseas, if they ask for a compassionate posting, where are we to post them? There is no unit in England to which they can be posted. Therefore, a different system, equally sympathetic to hard cases, has been introduced.

Hon. Members

Withdraw.

Mr. Hale

As I am being assailed by cries of "Withdraw," may I say, Mr. Speaker, that I will send to the Secretary of State tonight the letter from his Under-Secretary, which I received a few days ago, in which this statement is specifically made, and that I have nothing to withdraw?