§ 33. Mrs. Middletonasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will so amend that section of K.Rs. dealing with compassionate leave as to admit of such leave being granted at the commanding officer's discretion in cases where leave is eminently desirable but is not at present provided for within the scope of the regulations.
§ Mr. BellengerCommanding officers in the United Kingdom already have wide discretionary powers to authorise compassionate leave. Such leave may also be granted from Commands overseas within the discretion of the military authorities on the spot. The existing regulations governing the grant of compassionate leave are sufficiently widely drawn to cover all cases of urgent need, and I do not, therefore, consider that it is necessary to amend them.