§ MR. GIBSONasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is the fact 156 that Officers of the Army Medical Service, when first attached to a regiment, although not permitted to wear its uniform or to describe themselves as belonging to it, are compelled to pay fifty days' pay as contribution to its mess and band funds; and, whether it is his intention to take any steps to remedy such a state of facts, if they exist?
MR. GATHORNE HARDY,in reply, said, that medical officers, when attached to regiments for five years, became, in fact, bonâ fide officers of the regiment, and paid just as the other officers did. They paid the following contributions in monthly instalments extending over a period of 10 months—not exceeding 30 days' pay (the sum being fixed by the commanding officer) for the mess, and for the band 20 days' pay. He might remark that under the present system the five years of service was not confined to medical officers, but extended to officers of all ranks. He did not think the fact of the Army medical officers having to contribute to these funds was a hardship, calling for interference by the War Office.