Dr. RUTHERFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention had been called to the acquittal of Fleet-Surgeon Charles Matthew by court-martial on a charge of behaving with contempt towards Commander Richard Walters, and also to the fact that Fleet-Surgeon Matthew was placed on the retired list at his own request on account of the charge; whether Commander Walters had retired; and what steps he was taking, in the interests of efficiency in the Navy, to remove the alleged grievances of the naval medical service?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, Sir; Fleet-Surgeon Matthew has been placed on the retired list at his own request; Commander Walters has not retired. I should be glad if my hon. Friend will direct my attention to the alleged grievances referred to in the last part of his question.
Dr. RUTHERFORDWas a Commission appointed to inquire into these alleged grievances, and, if so, has it reported?
§ Mr. McKENNAA Committee was appointed to inquire into certain circumstances affecting the medical service in the Navy, but I would not describe them as grievances.