4. Major NEWMANasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will say what response has been obtained to the recent Admiralty invitation to the temporary surgeons to join the permanent list of the Royal Navy?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe actual number of applicants to transfer from the temporary to the permanent list of the Royal Navy since the promulgation of the Order is eighteen, and of these fifteen will probably be eligible.
Major NEWMANCould the right hon. Gentleman tell me how many of these temporary surgeons there are in the Navy at present?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put a question down.
5. Major NEWMANasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction that prevails among members of the permanent medical service owing to the fact that surgeons are now doing the duties formerly carried out by fleet and staff surgeons without extra pay or acting promotion as in other branches of the Service, and that the large influx of temporary surgeons has not reduced the time served for promotion in the permanent service; is he aware that when similar conditions prevailed in the Royal Army Medical Corps all subaltern officers of the permanent list were promoted forthwith; and what does he propose to do to remedy these grievances?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Admiralty is not aware of any dissatisfaction in this respect, nor has any previous representation on the subject been received. The whole question of pay, prospects, and other matters in connection with the medical branch is now under the consideration of the Board of Admiralty. This particular question of acting rank will also be dealt with. The influx of temporary surgeons has no influence on the conditions of promotion in the permanent service. I note the reference to what occurs in the Royal Army Medical Corps; but the case of subaltern officers in that corps does not form a parallel, as the Royal Navy officers affected are of the relative rank of captain or above.