SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derbyshire, Ilkestone)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state how many non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Army Medical Corps have been sent from England to South Africa during the last seven months; and how many of these have had actual training in hospitals in nursing the sick.
LORD STANLEYSince 1st July, 1901, 1,160 non-commissioned officers and men, Royal Army Medical Corps, have embarked for South Africa. Of these, 626 were enlisted in the usual way and had had actual training in military hospitals in nursing the sick. The remainder were enlisted under a special Army Order of 11th March, 1901, engaging men who had been trained in civil life. These all had good certificates of proficiency in first aid, ambulance drill, &c., but it is not possible to say exactly what actual nursing experience they had. On arrival in South Africa the drafts are detailed by the Principal Medical Officer according to their qualifications.