78. Major D. DAVIESasked the Secretary of State for War whether, though the Territorial Force has not been disembodied, a number of Territorial officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps are being demobilised against their wishes and before they have had an opportunity of obtaining appointments or practices; whether their places are being filled by retired officers, who are receiving both pay and pension; and whether he will give any assurance that in future these Territorial officers will be given an opportunity to procure appointments or practices before they are finally compelled to relinquish their commissions?
Captain GUESTTerritorial Force medical officers, in common with medical officers of the Special Reserve and officers holding temporary commissions in the Regular Army Medical Corps are 1215 being placed on the retired and unemployed list as quickly as possible, and as far as is known at the War Office, no retired medical officer has replaced a Territorial Force medical officer. As regards the last part of the question, I regret that I cannot give any such assurance. My hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware that great pressure has been brought to bear on the War Office to release every medical officer whose services can be spared to meet urgnt civil requirements. This policy has been, and will continue to be, carried out as far as possible.