§ Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for War if he has now examined the possibility of extending the grounds on which compassionate home leave may be granted from the Middle East, when surplus air space is available; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HeadYes. I have, however, decided that a scheme on these lines would be unworkable. The essence of the compassionate leave scheme is that, where a case is approved, my Department undertakes to get the man home as quickly as the circumstances demand. To depart from this principle by an extension20W of the scheme dependent on the availability of surplus air space would present obvious difficulties. Moreover, every effort is made in air movement planning to make full use of the aircraft and there is rarely surplus space unless something altogether unforeseen occurs.