§ 21. Sir ARTHUR FELLasked the Secretary of State for War if there is any need to keep doctors at Batoum with the British forces who are married, over forty-one years of age, and who have spent fourteen months or more with the Salonika forces at Salonika, Sophia, and Batoum, to the detriment of their private practices in England; if they have no work at Batoum, and half of them could be sent away without detriment; and, if the number of doctors are really wanted there, whether younger unmarried men will be sent out to relieve the middle-aged men there now?
§ Mr. FORSTERMedical officers are being demobilised as fast as the military situation permits, but at present it is quite impossible to demobilise all who are eligible. I have no information to the effect that officers with the Armies of the Black Sea are not fully employed. In view of the conditions of service it is essential that the medical provision there should be adequate. The importance of relieving medical officers who are deserving of consideration on the score of age or length of service is fully realised, but at present, owing to the large numbers who have been demobilised to meet urgent civil needs, I regret that it is not practicable to send out reliefs.
§ Sir A. FELLCannot some younger men be sent out to enable these middle-aged men to come home?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have just said that I am afraid that is not practicable.