HC Deb 13 September 1887 vol 321 c465
SIR HENRY TYLER (Great Yarmouth)

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is the case in Naval Hospitals that Army pensioners are employed as male nurses, and whether there is any objection to the employment at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, of pensioners of the Royal Marines or the Royal Navy when fitted for that employment; and, whether, as would appear from a letter of the Lieutenant Governor of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, dated 6th September, 1887, it is absolutely the rule that Naval or Royal Marine pensioners are not eligible for employment in that Hospital?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) () Lincolnshire, Horncastle

Chelsea Hospital differs altogether in character from the Naval Hospitals. The latter are merely for the treatment of the sick; whereas Chelsea is a home for aged soldiers. The Rule is that employment in it shall be limited to Army pensioners, whose numbers are very large. I do not think the Rule could be altered without great inconvenience.