§ DR. KENNY (Dublin, College Green)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Military Authorities have decided to appoint the examiners for the Army Medical Board from the London College of Surgeons; and, if so, whether it is intended to also appoint examiners from the Irish College of Surgeons; and whether he is aware that the rumour that the Army Medical Board intend to confine their choice of examiners to the London College has given rise to a belief, wide-spread, in medical circles in Ireland, that Irish candidates for the Army Medical Service will not receive fair consideration under such a system?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANYes, Sir; the examiners are now to be appointed for the limited time of four years, and they will be taken from among the examiners of the College of Physicians and the College of Surgeons. I do not anticipate that this will have any prejudicial effect on the interests of the Scotch and Irish Schools, a result to which I should personally be as reluctant to contribute as the hon. Member himself.
§ DR. KENNYIs there not a good deal of alarm in medical circles in Ireland on this subject? Why are the examiners appointed from one College only, and why are the Irish and Scotch Colleges ignored?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe examiners are to be appointed for a limited period of four years. I hope one of the examiners will be an Irishman, but the object of making the selections from the London Bodies is to insure that we get competent men. As far as I am concerned, I will take care nothing is done to damage the interests of the Irish and Scotch Schools.
§ DR. KENNYOn what ground is it thought that the new plan will insure competence? What is the reason for the innovation? Was any complaint ever made against the old system?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe principal reason for the innovation is that formerly the examiners were appointed practically for life, and it is thought much better they should be appointed for a limited term of years, so as to secure fresh men, who perhaps were better acquainted with the newest developments of medical science.
§ MR. W. REDMOND (Clare, E.)Does not the right hon. Gentleman think competent examiners can be obtained in Ireland?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANAnd quite as competent in Scotland.
§ MR. W. REDMONDThen will not the right hon. Gentleman take care to appoint one examiner from Scotland and one from Ireland?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANYes.