33.
asked the Secretary of State for War when the hon. Member for Salford, East, is likely to receive a reply to his letter of 15th January, with reference to the refusal to give compassionate leave to 22377484 Private G. Ravenscroft, Ayrshire Barracks, British Army of the Rhine, to visit his father in hospital who has since died.
A reply has now been sent to my hon. Friend.
May I ask the Minister why it has taken such a long time as from 15th January to reply, and also what disciplinary action has been taken against the officer who refused permission? Would this have happened if it had been an officer who made an application to see his dying father? Would he have been treated in the manner in which this man has been treated by the unit in which he is serving?
As my hon. Friend knows from the letter I have sent him, it took some time to investigate this case. I thought it better to investigate it clearly before writing to him. I have explained the circumstances fully to him. I have explained that I think the procedure of the unit was to blame, but I certainly would not accept the implications of the latter part of his supplementary question.
But what disciplinary action has been taken?