§ 16. Sir CHARLES HENRYasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if, in order that the accommodation of hospitals and infirmaries may be available as far as possible for the reception of civilian patients, the War Office, before sending wounded soldiers to these hospitals and infirmaries, will avail themselves of those hospitals which since the commencement of the War have been specially equipped and are ready for the reception of military patients?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)The War Office authorities are making every effort to prevent the present military exigencies from interfering with the needs and comfort of the civil population. No institution under the control of the Local Government Board has been utilised for the accommodation of military patients, nor will use be made of the unions or infirmaries to the detriment of the poor of the districts which they serve. Any beds in civil hospitals which have been used for the sick and wounded from overseas have been voluntarily placed at the disposal of the War Office by the authorities of these hospitals, and no demand has been made by the military authorities for the use of beds which might possibly be required for the civil population. The War Office is already availing themselves of specially equipped hospitals provided by the generosity of private individuals. Lists of these have been sent to the different commands, and General Officers Commanding-in-Chief have been requested to make use at their discretion of the accommodation thus placed at their disposal. About 12,000 beds have been offered.