§ COLONEL A. C. EARLE WELBY (Taunton)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that at stations in the United Kingdom troops and those 1199 belonging to troops are in medical charge of civilian practitioners; and whether he can see his way to employing in their stead Army Medical Officers retired on a pension or gratuity, where no additional expense would be entailed on the country?
§ MR. BRODRICKYes, Sir. A number of civilian practitioners are in charge of troops in the United Kingdom, and always have been. Ninety-four medical officers retired on pensions are employed, and more would be employed if they were willing to accept appointments. There would be no objection to the employment of an officer retired on a gratuity if he were considered suitable for such employment.