§ MR. LYON PLAYFAIRasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is proposed to give compensation to those Surgeons of Militia who under the New Warrant will be deprived of a considerable portion of their present incomes, by transferring to the medical officers of the brigade depôts the duties for which the Militia Surgeons have hitherto received pay?
MR. GATHORNE HARDYSir, the new Warrant gives medical officers of Militia an increase of rank and increase of pay, subject to certain conditions. On the other hand, it takes from them, in cases where brigade depôts are formed, the duty of inspecting the recruits, who are inspected by Army surgeons without charge. This is advisable on public grounds, irrespective of money. It has been frequently a subject of complaint that these Militia medical officers lost by having to neglect their private practice in order to inspect the recruits. This appears, speaking generally, to be the only part of the Warrant by which they lose. The attendance upon the permanent Staff has generally been complained of as a source of loss. From this they will now be relieved when brigade depôts are formed, but they will continue to be employed on this duty when no Army medical officer is available. Until the 31st of December next it will not be known how many Militia medical officers accept the new terms, and until then I cannot undertake to enter upon a full consideration of the facts, nor can I give any pledge as to my action.