§ SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derby, Ilkeston)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact, that the strength of the Royal Army Medical Corps, detailed for duty during the late autumn manoeuvres —namely, 23 officers and 215 men—was quite inadequate for an Army of nearly 18,000 of all ranks, and in view of Lord. Wolseley's comment thereon that the. Medical Staff requires augmentation, ha can state from what source a sufficient number of medical officers, as laid down in mobilisation tables, is to be drawn for the two Army Corps declared by the Commander-in-Chief to be always ready for embarkation for field service abroad?
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe strength of the Royal Army Medical Corps employed at the manoeuvres was 68 officers and 312 men, and not 23 officers and 215 men, as stated in the Question. The 224 officers required for two Army Corps can be provided from existing home establishments. There would be no justification for withdrawing 224 medical officers from their normal duties for manoeuvres. In time of war this would be done, and the vacancies supplied with civilian practitioners.