§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked the Secretary of State for War, What is the usual number of medical officers available for duty in the Cork Barracks; what was the number on the roll on the 30th of May; what is the daily number of patients occupying beds in the Cork Military Hospital; whether it is a fact that on or about the date mentionod the surgeons were only obliged to go on orderly duty every twelfth day; what is the usual term of rotation; and, what has hitherto been the usual complement of medical officers at that station?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)The reduction in the troops in Egypt has resulted in a temporary excess of medical officers in various military districts, of which Cork is one, and all military medical officers not exclusively employed in. the station hospital are available for duty in barracks. The number on the roll at Cork on the 30th of May was 14, of whom two were on leave; and on the same date there were 80 sick in the station hospital. It is the practice to place one medical officer on orderly duty each day, so that with 12 officers available the turn of each would come round every 12th day. The usual term of rotation depends on the number of officers, which for Cork (exclusive of Cork Harbour) is eight. 781 The other officers, although not on duty, are all employed. I may add that, in consequence of the present temporary excess, admission to the medical staff has been suspended until the supernumeraries are absorbed.