HC Deb 15 November 1955 vol 546 cc189-90
27. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for War why pay and ration allowance is not granted to reservists who have been given leave on compassionate grounds.

Mr. Head

Up to forty-eight hours' paid leave from annual camp is granted in certain circumstances, and the Department is prepared to consider cases where there may be hardship.

Mr. Johnson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a case was brought to my notice in which a reservist, when being sent on leave because of the very serious illness of his mother, was told by his commanding officer that he could not have the pay or ration allowance given to reservists? Will my right hon. Friend look into the matter if I send him the particulars?

Mr. Head

I will certainly look into the matter. There are many Regulations, and maybe the commanding officer was not aware of that one.

Mr. Beswick

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that in most employments, if a man has two or three days off work because of sickness, he is paid, and would it not be better to extend this practice to all these cases?

Mr. Head

I am saying that in corn-passionate cases, where there is hardship, we do pay.

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