§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the question of dispensing with police reports, in cases of serious illness of relatives of soldiers, as a condition of the granting of special leave?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLApplications for special leave are not referred to the police for a report when accompanied by a medical certificate regarding the serious illness of a near relative. In cases submitted without a medical certificate or without verification by a clergyman or justice of the peace, the local police are asked to report. It is necessary to ensure that the application isbonâ fide, and the assistance of the police is invoked in order to avoid expense to the applicant in obtaining a medical certificate.