§ MR. T. L. CORBETT (Down, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will postpone the discharge of invalids unfit for work from Netley Hospital until the House of Commons has had an opportunity of considering what provision can he made for them.
§ MR. HALDANEI am afraid that, as I intimated in answer to a supplementary Question on the 5th instant, † until Parliament places the necessary money in Army Estimates, I cannot undertake to depart from the course being followed. The Question does not refer to people suffering from wounds, but to people suffering from ordinary illness contracted a long time ago. It is absolutely necessary, in the interests of mercy, that they should give place to more urgent cases. The number of beds is strictly limited, and if they were occupied by people who were merely bedridden they would be depriving others, for whom the accommodation is absolutely essential, of the opportunity of treatment. The course which is being taken is that which is taken in the other great hospitals in the country.
§ MR. T. L. CORBETTasked whether the right hon. Gentleman would not, in the circumstances, postpone the discharge of these invalids till the House had had an opportunity of giving him the provision which he had no doubt it would give.
§ MAJOR SEELY (Liverpool, Abercromby)asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would make inquiries into the facts of the case. Were there not many hundreds of beds unoccupied? If that was the case, if he had been misinformed, would he consider the advisability of giving these unfortunate men a certain amount of respite?
§ MR. HALDANEIf there are unoccupied beds, that would be a reason for not being in a hurry. I will undertake to inquire, and if that is so, to take more time in the matter. It is obvious, how-
† See Col. 109.738 ever, that these invalids are proper people for a home.
§ MR. T. L. CORBETTpressed the right hon. Gentleman to give a pledge that those invalids who were unfit for work would not be turned out of the hospital until the House had had an opportunity of considering their case. If the right hon. Gentleman refused to give such a pledge, he intended to ask leave to move the adjournment of the House.
§ MR. J. WARD (Stoke-on-Trent)hoped the right hon. Gentleman would consider whether he might not make an exception at least in those eases where the illness was contracted while the men were on foreign service.
§ MR. HALDANEWhere the illness has arisen in the service of the nation or is due to some accident in the public service there would be a strong case for consideration. I will consider that case.
§ MR. J. WARDsaid he had a case in mind.
§ MR. HALDANEI will consider that case and what my hon. and gallant friend has put to me, but I can give no further pledge.