§ 6. Sir JOHN LONSDALEasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if the contracts with the six medical men receiving £5,000 a year each as consultants at Royal naval hospitals have been terminated?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe engagements in question have been terminated from the 19th instant, and we are about to enter into a new arrangement.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIf the hon. Baronet will put down a question for this day week I shall state them fully.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake not to enter into this arrangement until the House has had an opportunity of controlling it?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe whole question is now before the Treasury. I should not think of overriding the opinion of the House.
§ 29. Sir J. LONSDALEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state how many civilian surgeons or physicians are now employed by the War Office in a consultative capacity at military hospitals at home and abroad; upon what terms as to remuneration are they engaged; if the working staffs of the hospitals are now fully adequate for all requirements; and if it is necessary to continue the engagements of all these consultants attached to hospitals on the Continent?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)The number employed is twenty-four. The pay is that of the rank held. The working staffs of the hospitals are fully adequate, but the services of the consultants is necessary to co-ordinate work in their specialities, and they also give the benefit of their advice and skill in such cases as may demand them. Their employment has been most beneficial to the sick and wounded, and, as the Director-General of Army Medical Services considers their employment as essential to the successful working of the medical arrangements, it is not proposed to terminate their engagements.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEWill the hon. Gentleman kindly answer what the terms of remuneration are?
§ Mr. TENNANTI did answer that—the pay is that of the rank held.