§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether in all Naval Hospitals, since the abolition of Captain Superintendents, the power that they had of dealing with their men employed as nurses was relegated to the Inspectors General of the said hospitals; and, whether it is true, that at the present time no medical officer ashore or afloat has the slightest power of dealing with the "Sick Berth Staff;" and, if so, can he state the 1801 reasons for which this change in the Regulations of the Naval Medical Ser has been made?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)On the abolition of the appointment of Captain Superintendent at Naval Hospitals, the administration and control of the establishment were placed in the hands of the Inspector General, who now deals entirely with cases of neglect of duty or misconduct on the part of civilian nurses. The men of the "Sick Berth Staff" belong to the Service afloat; and, being subject to the Naval Discipline Act, are dealt with by the Commanders-in-Chief at the ports on the representation of the principal medical officers. All medical officers, whether on shore or afloat, have full power over the "Sick Berth Staff" by means of reporting them to the commanding officer, and in this respect there has been no change.