§ 44. Sir HERBERT RAPHAELasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether retired Army medical officers holding retired pay appointments of medical officer in charge of troops and 554 military hospitals at depots necessitating in peace time an inconsiderable amount of work and now, since the commencement of the War, requiring all-day service and constant orderly duty day and night owing to the increase of work and expansion of hospital duty, have been refused kit allowance and the same rate of pay granted to retired medical officers who have been recalled to duty; and, if so, whether he will consider the justice and advisability of equalising the financial position of these two classes of officers?
Mr. BAKERThese officers, in common with other retired officers who were in the employment of the War Department in peace, are being treated in accordance with the regulations under which they accepted their appointments. If there are any grounds for varying the regulations, they shall be considered.
§ Sir H. RAPHAELIf the matter has engaged the attention of the War Office, why have they failed to acknowledge my letters giving full reasons for the proposed equalisation of scales of payment?
§ Sir H. CRAIKIs it not the case that these men who have had long experience are at a salary of £150, working twelve, thirteen and fourteen hours per day?
Mr. BAKERI do not know whether it is so. It may be that they are working long hours, but many people are. The regulations under which they are serving are regulations which they have accepted. If there is a good case for altering them it will be considered.
§ Sir H. CRAIKIs it not the case that temporary doctors who are acting in their places are receiving as much as £1 4s. per day, whilst these men are only receiving a salary of £150?
Mr. BAKERIf the hon. Gentleman would submit grounds on which he thinks the regulations should be altered I promise him they will be considered.