§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty up to what length of time are officers of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines given full-pay sick leave; and for what reason does the period differ in the case of the Royal Navy from that followed by the Army?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe detailed Regulations as to full sick-pay leave in the case of naval officers are contained in Articles 1396, 1352, and 1353 of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions. The general effect of these Regulations is that in ordinary cases of sickness three months' full-pay sick leave is granted as a matter of course, and extensions up to twelve months are possible in certain circumstances and are frequently granted. In the case of wounds in action which cause the loss of an eye or a limb, full-pay sick leave may be granted until cured or pensioned. If the effects of the wound are not so serious, full-pay sick leave may not exceed eighteen months except in very special circumstances. In the case of injury on duty or insanity due to the Service, the same treatment is accorded as in the case of wounds in action. Officers of the Royal Marines come under the same Regulations as Army Officers in the matter of sick leave. The conditions of service and pay in the Navy and Army are very dissimilar, and the rules as to full-pay sick leave naturally developed on different lines in the two Services. In the opinion of the Admiralty the naval officer is accorded no less favourable treatment in the matter of sick leave than the Army officer, and it is not considered that anything would be gained by an attempt to assimilate the practice of the two Services in this matter.