HC Deb 01 November 1955 vol 545 c104W
Mr. Ian Harvey

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give an assurance that National Service men who have special athletic qualifications are not given leave from their duties to participate in these activities in excess of their normal leave entitlement.

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

Any applications from the ruling bodies in sport, or from international bodies of similar standing, for naval personnel to take part as players in international or other games would be considered sympathetically subject to the needs of the Service at the time. No case can, however, be traced in which special leave has been granted to a National Service officer or rating.