§ 36. Major HILLSasked the Under- Secretary of State for War what is the effect of the red efficiency stripe recently granted to Voluntary Aid Detachment members who have completed thirteen months' service and obtained the requisite standard of efficiency, does it entitle them to the position and duties of assistant nurse in all cases, or is it still within the power of a matron in charge of the hospital, whatever may be their efficiency, to employ them entirely on housework or similar work?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNursing members of the Voluntary Aid Detachments in possession of the red efficiency stripe are as far as possible given the duties of junior nurses, but must be prepared at any time to continue the ordinary duties of probationers in military hospitals. Before being eligible for the grade of assistant nurse, a nursing member of a Voluntary Aid Detachment must be in possession of the red efficiency stripe, and must have completed two years' continuous service in a military, Territorial, or war hospital.
§ 38. Major HILLSasked the Undersecretary of State for War what are the respective responsibilities of the British Red Cross Society Headquarters, the Voluntary Aid Detachment Headquarters at Devonshire House, and the War Office with regard to the policy and organisation of the Voluntary Aid Detachment; and why the Voluntary Aid Detachment does not form an integral part of the new State Services, such as the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, the Women's Royal Naval Service, and the Women's Air Service?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe Headquarters of the British Red Cross Society are responsible for those Voluntary Aid Detachments, the organisation of which has been delegated to the society by the Territorial Force County Association. The Voluntary Aid Detachment Headquarters at Devonshire House consist of a sub-committee of the Joint Voluntary Aid Detachment Committee. This sub- 967 committee is responsible for the provision of Voluntary Aid Detachments required for service in military hospitals, at home and abroad. Voluntary Aid Detachments on joining military hospitals, etc., for military duty come under the control of the War Office, who then assume responsibility. The scheme for the organisation of voluntary aid has been in operation for many years, and the State Services referred to are recent creations, and were formed for a different purpose.
§ 37. Major HILLSasked the Undersecretary of State for War when he expects that the recommendation of the Bridgeman Committee that the Voluntary Aid Detachment members should receive free uniforms will be carried out; and whether, in view of the reasonableness of this request, he will take measures to expedite the consideration of the Central Joint Voluntary Aid Detachment Committee which has been considering this matter for several months?
§ Mr. FORSTERI understand that instructions on this subject were issued a month ago to their county directors by the Joint Committee.