§ 12. Mr. McAddenasked the Minister of Defence if he has yet completed his examination of the question whether Service men who are granted compassionate leave should have their normal leave reduced.
§ Mr. SandysYes, Sir. It has been decided that in all cases the grant of compassionate leave shall, in future, not be allowed to affect entitlement to normal leave.
§ Mr. McAddenIs my right hon. Friend aware that this is the first Question which he has had to answer today from this side of the House? Is he aware that the Answer is extremely satisfactory and will be welcomed on all sides of the House? Does it not show that in pursuing a practice which is in accordance with the best practice in industry, my right hon. Friend is a progressive and forward-looking Minister whom the House should be pleased to congratulate?
§ Mr. SandysI am overwhelmed.
§ Mr. J. PatonIs the Minister aware of the deep sense of grievance among some of the parents of the boys who have been airlifted to Cyprus that they were not given the normal embarkation leave? Is he aware that there is a feeling of great inequality about this matter, since the members of the Brigade of Guards apparently had four days embarkation leave before they were sent abroad? Will the Minister see that these inequalities do not recur?
§ Mr. Ellis SmithShower your compliments now!
§ Mr. SandysI do not think there will be any sense of grievance about the reply I have given, which, of course, dealt with an entirely different point from that raised by the hon. Member for Norwich, North (Mr. J. Paton).