§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if he can state what is the number of the retired army medical officers who are liable to be recalled to service since the outbreak of hostilities in the Transvaal, and how many are now with the Field Forces in South Africa, or in hospitals at the bases.
§ *MR. WYNDHAMThere are ninety-eight retired Army medical officers liable to recall. Of these eighteen are holding permanent appointments reserved for officers on retired pay. The services of twenty-five others who volunteered to return to the service have been accepted, and they have been employed at home and abroad. None have been recalled by compulsion. Four officers are employed in South Africa and on hospital ships.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLOut of ninety-eight officers on the retired list, only four are employed in South Africa?
§ *MR. WYNDHAMYes, Sir; but twenty-five others are employed elsewhere, The eighteen who are holding permanent appointments are officers of high rank, and it is thought better to employ in South Africa young civilian doctors who have more recent experience of hospital work.