HC Deb 30 June 1915 vol 72 cc1793-4
11. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the necessity of securing the services of as many medical men as possible for the Army, he will consider the suggestion of giving the rank of sub-lieutenant to medical students who have passed their second M.B. examination and are willing to join the Royal Army Medical Corps for the duration of the War?

Mr. TENNANT

Students of sufficient seniority and medical training to be of use in the Army in the way suggested would be better employed if they continued at their medical schools and qualified as medical men as soon as possible. They would then be eligible for commissions in the Royal Army Medical Corps. The services of senior students are required to help in carrying on the work in the large civil hospitals connected with their teaching schools. Nearly all of these hospitals are providing accommodation for sick and wounded soldiers, and their staffs are very hard worked. It is not proposed to admit into the commissioned ranks of the Royal Army Medical Corps any candidates who are not fully qualified medical men.

Sir HENRY CRAIK

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care that the mere conferring of the name of a titular rank is not substituted for real medical education, which is necessary for the work?

Mr. TENNANT

I hope my hon. Friend is misinformed as to that.

Sir H. CRAIK

I am not.

Mr. TENNANT

It is considered very desirable that no one shall be admitted into the commissioned ranks of the Medical Corps who is not fully qualified.

Sir H. CRAIK

Will the right hon. Gentleman be careful not to give way to any such suggestion as giving a titular name which would imply experience when that experience is not possessed?

Mr. TENNANT

Oh, yes; that will be most carefully safeguarded.