§ 9. Mr. HIGHAMasked the Under-Secretary of State for "War if he is aware that when fruit and delicacies are sent addressed to the wounded men at the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Gosport, the parcels are, in many cases, intercepted and kept by the staff through whose hands the parcels pass; and if he will have these practices stopped?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAll parcels for patients are sorted at the main gate of the hospital and handed to the nursing sisters in charge of the wards for distribution to the owners as advisable. It is often the case that the contents of parcels are quite unsuited for the patients to whom they are sent. In many cases they would probably cause a fatal result. Such contents are very properly intercepted. Otherwise no interference takes place, and in any case the contents are not kept by the staff. They are given to any other patient to whom the owner may like to offer them.
§ Mr. HIGHAMWould my right hon. Friend consider that a gift of a bunch of grapes to a convalescent would be dangerous to his life, or even injurious to his health?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not say that, but I do say that a cold plum pudding would not be suitable for a typhoid patient.
§ 10. Mr. HIGHAMasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that men who are brought home wounded to the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Gosport, are forced by the attendants to rise about 6 a.m., make their own beds, prepare breakfast, fetch food from the kitchen, wash up all utensils after meals, clean and wash out lavatories and other rooms, and that men with fractured arms, internal injuries, etc., are compelled to sweep and polish floors, using for the purpose implements weighing over 14 pounds each; and if he will have inquiries made and this state of things remedied?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAPatients get up in accordance with their fitness. Some remain in bed all day, some for part of the day, while the convalescents get up at 6 a.m. All convalescents are, if fit, expected to perform a certain amount of light work, and from a medical point of view it is important they should do this, but they are not forced to make their own beds, wash up after meals, or clean and wash lavatories, that particular work being done voluntarily. All meals are prepared in the 1472 main kitchen, except such work as cutting bread, etc., which is carried out by convalescents in the ward kitchens. No man is detached for any work unless he is physically fit for it. It is not a fact that men with fractured arms, internal injuries or similar cases are compelled to sweep and polish floors. I can assure my hon. Friend that the treatment of the sick and wounded at Haslar is quite different from that which would be imagined by anyone reading the series of inquiries he has put to me.
§ Mr. HIGHAMWould my right hon. Friend consider whether a man with a bullet in his spine ought to do this work? I have a case within my own knowledge.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI went into this matter, so far as I could, with the medical director-general, and I can assure my hon. Friend there is no ground for the suggestion. I should be glad to consider any further facts my hon. Friend has.
§ Mr. HIGHAMHas my right hon. Friend seen the letter I have sent in with the name of the officer who was asked to do the work, and the injuries inflicted upon him?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI saw the letter, and took every point of detail in it. I had a close inquiry made, and also had a long personal interview with the medical director-general. I am convinced there is considerable misapprehension as to the case.
§ Mr. HIGHAMDid my right hon. Friend raise the question whether this officer, with a bullet in his spine, which they could not extract, was expected to go from Southport to Gosport to get his discharge?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWould my hon. Friend care to see the medical director-general? I would be very glad if he would.