§ 87. Captain BOWYERasked the Secretary of State for War whether Red Cross nurses who have served with the forces in the field during the progress of hostilities are a definite part of the military organisation; what schemes are contemplated to provide nurses with pensions, gratuities, or allowances following upon their war services; and, if no such scheme is at present in operation, whether immediate steps will be taken to deal with Red Cross nurses who have rendered such services to our fighting forces in the field to adequately recognise the claim which they have established upon the gratitude of the country?
Captain GUESTRed Cross nurses who have served with the British forces in the field, in units recognised by the War Office, are entitled to the same pensions, gratuities, or allowances for disability from the Ministry of Pensions as if they belonged to the Army Nursing Services. No question of pensions for service arises; but war gratuities for service are paid to auxiliary nursing personnel employed in Army hospitals and drawing pay from Army funds.