§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Post Office servants invalided from the Army because of disabilities caused by military service, who are temporarily unable to carry out their Post Office duties, have all sick leave entered on their records, which records will militate against them during all the subsequent service; whether he is aware that the ordinary Regulations entailing half-pay after six months' absence and no pay after twelve months' absence, are rigidly enforced in these cases, despite the fact that the Treasury Regulations were designed for 917W altogether different conditions; and whether, in consideration of the services rendered to the country by these men whilst in the Army, the Government will grant a more liberal period of sick leave on full pay to all disabled Civil servants, and endeavour to remedy all cases of hardship which have occurred?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe rules as regards Civil sick leave are correctly stated in the first two parts, of the question, and I donot see ground for modifying the present instructions which were issued after very full consideration. I may point out that the primary responsibility for meeting the case of Civil servants as of other soldiers invalided from the Army rests with the Pensions Ministry, anl the sick leave privileges granted under the normal Civil Service rules represent a benefit beyond what the ordinary private employé would obtain.