HC Deb 16 August 1916 vol 85 cc1875-6W
Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Secretary of State for War up to what length of time are officers given full-pay sick leave?

Mr. FORSTER

The present practice is as follows:—

Sick Leave with full pay.

Staff Officers.

(1) Officers holding substantive rank Above lieutenant-colonel and lieutenant-colonels not on the cadre of a regiment:

Staff pay of their appointment up to 182 days if invalided on account of wounds or sickness incurred on active service; otherwise, up to 91 days.

(2) Lieutenant-colonels on the cadre of a regiment, and officers of lower ranks:

Staff pay up to 91 days and then regimental pay to complete a period not exceeding 18 months, if the disability is due to active service, or 12 months if otherwise caused.

Regimental and Departmental Officers.

(a) Permanent officers:

Up to eighteen months for regimental officers and twelve months for departmental officers if the disability is due to active service. In other cases, up to twelve months for regimental officers and six months for departmental officers.

(b) Temporary officers (Special Reserve, Territorial Force, and New Army):

As in the case of permanent officers when the disability is due to active service.

When the disability is not caused by the performance of military duty, leave with pay up to a maximum of three months.

Sick leave with full pay is only granted when there is a reasonable probability that the officer will ultimately be fit to return to duty. When permanently unfit, officers are relegated to half pay or otherwise disposed of.