§ 4. Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether commanding officers have been instructed to accept certificates given by duly qualified medical men to sick soldiers on furlough residing at a distance of over two miles from military hospitals; if so, whether any such certificates have been ignored and the sick soldiers who obtained them punished; and, if so, whether such action is approved by the superior military authorities?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe rule in force is that, when a man forwards a civil medical practitioner's certificate recommending an extension of furlough, arrangements are made for his readmission to the nearest military hospital, where he will remain under treatment until he is fit to rejoin his unit or depot. I am informed that no cases had come to notice, prior to the issue of the instructions I have mentioned, of civilian medical practitioners' certificates being ignored either with or without the approval of the superior military authorities, once it had been ascertained beyond doubt that the certificates were genuine.
§ Sir J. D. REESMay I inform the right hon. Gentleman of cases?
§ Mr. TENNANTYes.