§ 14. Major MOLSONasked the Secretary of State for War what are the numbers of Territorial Force and temporary commissioned medical officers with over three years' war service compulsorily retained in the Egyptian Expeditionary Force; and whether he can give any hope of early demobilisation to these medical officers, as they are suffering serious hardship by being away from their practices and families?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI regret that the information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. It could not be obtained without much labour and research involving reference to Egypt, and if obtained it would not be reliable, as the numbers are changing from day to day. With regard to the last part of the 215 question, I can only say that every Regular officer of the Royal Army Medical Corps who can be spared has already been sent out in relief of the Special Reserve Territorial Force and temporary officers who wish to be released, and that further officers of these categories are being sent home as establishments are reduced.
§ Major M0LS0NIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of soreness amongst the Territorials of the Royal Army Medical Corps that some of them, who have served since 1914 or 1915, are still out of the country?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLWell, I will look into any specially hard cases, but I cannot agree, while any compulsory military power remains to me, to leave the troops without their proper complement of medical officers. Such action might result in more severe suffering being inflicted than in the present case. Everything in human power that can be done will be done.