§ 64. Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Defence why Radio Operator 1st Class Alistair Shaw, Royal Navy, Singapore, was refused compassionate leave to attend a parent's funeral.
§ Mr. FoleyCompassionate leave from abroad is not usually granted after a parent's death unless there is nobody else at home to make funeral and other arrangements.
In this sad case other relatives were available to help the mother and it was the medical opinion that the rating's presence at home was not essential.