Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked whether the Under-Secretary for War can state the total-amount of hospital stoppage occurring in any recent financial year and the total amount granted for separation allowance in the same year to men from whose pay hospital stoppage was deducted; and can he state the number of men serving in the Army during the same year?
§ Colonel SEELYNo separate record of the amount of hospital stoppages is kept, but the total in 1910–11 is roughly estimated to be £60,000. The expenditure on separation allowance granted to the families of men from whose pay hospital stoppage was deducted cannot be stated, as it is not separately recorded. The establishment of the Army (excluding officers) in 1910–11 was 174,460.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSCan the right hon. Gentleman make some rough estimate of the amount of separation allowance?
§ Colonel SEELYIt would be difficult, but I dare say I can make, some rough estimate and send it to the hon. Member privately.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked the number of men on active service who in the year 1909 were provided with treatment for tuberculosis in sanatoria; whether there is now any provision made for treatment of men on active service in sanatoria; and what, if any, deductions from pay are made when such treatment is given?
§ Colonel SEELYNo soldier while still serving with the colours is sent to a sanatorium, and therefore no question of a deduction for hospital stoppage arises on this account. As soon as a soldier is diagnosed to be suffering from tuberculosis steps are taken to invalid him from the Service, and his retention in a military-hospital is only temporary until he is fit to travel. Notification is duly made to the medical officer of health of the place to which the man is to be sent on discharge; but I am informed that in nearly every case the regimental authorities take steps to secure the man's reception in a sanatorium, the cost being in many cases provided by the officers of the regiment.