HC Deb 26 June 1893 vol 14 cc53-4
DR. MACGREGOR (Inverness-shire)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, in view of the fact that there are now 53 Surgeon Lieutenants of the Army Medical Staff whose com- missions date from 30th January, 1892, to 30th January, 1893, who have completed their courses of instruction at Netley and Aldershot, and are, therefore, eligible for foreign service, whether it is intended to send as many of these officers as are required for the reliefs to India during the next trooping season, or whether it is proposed to send back to that country Surgeon Captains who have returned home within the last two or three years after a tour of six years in India?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

About one-fourth of the full annual relief for India is composed of junior Surgeon Lieutenants. The Indian Government objects to a larger proportion, as these young officers have not sufficient experience for many of the duties required, and are, further, more susceptible to enteric fever than their seniors.