§ 28. Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Undersecretary of State for War how many Army doctors are quartered at Malta; what has been the average number of patients in hospital there during the last twelve months; whether any of the doctors in Malta have been there for more than eighteen months without coming home on leave; and, if so, whether he will arrange that doctors who have been in Malta for such a period shall now come home on leave and be then employed on duty at home or in France?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMedical officers stationed at Malta have the same privileges as regards leave as other officers serving abroad. It is not proposed to bring home officers who have served for eighteen months at Malta, but applications for transfer to other stations will receive every consideration. I am communicating the information asked for in the first two parts of the question privately to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. McNEILLIs it not a fact that there is a considerable number of doctors who have been in Malta since the beginning of the campaign who have never been moved away from it, although the requirements of the island are less than before?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI do not think that the requirements of the island are less than they were before. It is a fact that there are some doctors on the island who have been there for a long time, but that applies equally to other arms of the Service.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI cannot answer that question.
§ Captain CARR-GOMMDoes the answer apply to lady doctors?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI think so. If my hon. and gallant Friend will put down a question I will answer explicitly.