§ 35 and 36. Mr. COOTEasked the Secretary of State for War (1) if he can give reasons why the military hospitals at Omagh, Enniskillen, Armagh, and Dundalk were closed and the military patients at those depots sent to the civil infirmaries in each locality; if these military hospitals are fully equipped for all their needs; and what is the relative cost of military patients per day in the military and civil hospitals, respectively; and (2) if the Assistant Deputy of Military Services, Belfast, district, is the authority on all military matters connected with his district; was he consulted before the military hospitals at Omagh, Enniskillen, Armagh, and Dundalk were closed; were they closed with his approval; who is the present Deputy of Military Services in Ireland; and what other posts has he held during the last twelve months?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe small military hospitals at Omagh, Enniskillen, Armagh and Dunkalk are unsuitable for the reception of sick and wounded from overseas, as they are not equipped for the purpose. They are only used therefore for cases which do not require serious medical or surgical treatment. On the other hand the County Hospitals have experienced surgeons and suitable staff, and have expressed a desire to receive sick and wounded from overseas. All parties have much appreciated the new arrangements and the scheme is working very satisfactorily at a lessened annual cost to the State. Detailed figures of the relative cost are not available. The authority to decide questions of opening or closing hospitals is the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Irish Command.