HC Deb 30 October 1918 vol 110 c1456
40. Sir PHILIP MAGNUS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if, having regard to the fact that women doctors serving in military hospitals discharge similar duties and receive the same pay as men doctors and are entitled to wear the Royal Army Medical Corps badge, he will take steps to rectify the anomaly of their being refused even honorary commissions or to wear badges of rank which would be helpful to them in maintaining discipline; and if he can arrange that they obtain equivalent relief from Income Tax as is granted to men doctors under the Service rate?

70. Colonel GODFREY COLLINS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that duly qualified women doctors, attached to the Royal Army Medical Corps and performing the same work as Royal Army Medical Corps officers, are not granted commissions or the badge of rank; and will he consider favourably an alteration in these Regulations?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I am sorry that I cannot give a definite reply to-day, but I can assure my hon. Friends that the question is at this moment receiving every possible consideration.

Sir P. MAGNUS

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be able to reply, as this matter is greatly pressing?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I quite agree that the matter is pressing, and I hope to be able to give a reply next Wednesday.