§ 59. Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the Under-Secretary for War if he is aware that all the hospitals, including the Royal Hospital, the Fausell Road Hospital (400 beds), the Union Infirmary, and a number of private houses lent to the Voluntary Aid Detachment, Portsmouth, are being taken over by a United States staff and that the English staff and patients are being sent wherever there is a corner for them; and if he will secure at least the preservation of the Royal Hospital and the Union Infirmary for the English staff and English patients?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONOwing to the present conditions of fighting in France some American and British wounded are-being brought to this country in the same convoys and are being treated in British hospitals. It is the desire of the American authorities that their medical and nursing staffs now available in this country should undertake some portion of the charge in our hospitals of American and British soldiers. With a view to taking advantage of the generous offer of our Ally and freeing British staff for other hospitals two sections of a general hospital at Portsmouth have been examined, and I hope that the necessary arrangements will be made. British soldiers will not be ejected from the hospital, but as vacancies occur the majority of patients admitted will probably be American.
§ Sir B. FALLEIs the right hon. Gentle man not aware that while the Americans are welcome, Portsmouth is a large town which requires large hospital accommodation itself?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am well aware of the welcome which Portsmouth has given to American, wounded and American troops, and I am hopeful that the answer I have given will satisfy the town.