§ MR. A. C. MORTON (Peterborough)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether there is an officer in charge of the Sanitary Branch of the Medical Department at the War Office, and what is his rank; whether this officer (if any) is charged with the perusal of the Quarterly Sanitary Reports of the Army, and does he bring to the notice of the Director General all unsanitary conditions in the Army mentioned in those Reports; whether the Director General brings those unsanitary conditions to the notice of the Commander-in-Chief; whether the principal medical officer of the Army District inspects the barracks, and is he accompanied by the Commanding Officer at those inspections; whether in India the sanitary inspections are made half-yearly as in this country; and whether the Army Medical Officers receive the protection of the authorities so as to enable them to properly carry out their sanitary duties for the protection of the health of the rank and file of the Army at Home and in India?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANAn officer of the Army Medical Staff is in charge of the Sanitary and Statistical Branch of the Army Medical Department 466 at the War Office, and his duty is to bring to the notice of the Director General any important sanitary question involved in the periodical Sanitary Reports from out-stations. If the case is of sufficient importance the Director General would draw the attention of the Commander-in-Chief to it. The actual course of these Reports is, however, rather the reverse of that indicated in the lion. Member's question. The principal Medical Officer's Report is addressed to the General Commanding the District, who takes such action on it as he thinks necessary, or, if the matter be important, refers the point to the Commander-in-Chief, who would naturally call upon the Director General for his Report and advice. The principal Medical Officer inspects barracks at home half-yearly; abroad (including India), annually. He is accompanied in his inspection by the Commanding Officer, or by some officer, not below the rank of captain, representing him. I have every reason to believe that the Medical Officers are fully supported in all matters affecting the soldier's health.
§ MR. A. C. MORTONWhat is the rank of the officer alluded to in the first paragraph of the question?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI think he is a surgeon-major on the eve of being promoted to the rank of surgeon-lieutenant-colonel.