§ 33. Mr. WATERSONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that on 16th June, 1915, a circular letter was issued to all General Officers, Commanding - in - Chief, Home Forces, Reference No. 24/, General No. /3952 (F2), and sent out granting: payment to medical practitioners at Voluntary Aid Detachment hospitals at a certain amount per diem per patient under treatment, and that at the close of this circular it was stated that the authority was not published far general in formation; and whether he will explain why, although payment would be made if asked for, doctors who were rendering service, sometimes at financial loss to themselves, were not to be informed of the provisions of this Order?
§ Mr. FORSTERThis question, now more than four years old, has been fully-dealt with in the House some two and a half years ago; but I may say, briefly, that the circular did not grant payment for services generally, but only instructed the local military authorities as to the limits within which they might remunerate doctors who were no longer prepared to tend the sick and wounded in Voluntary Aid Hospitals without payment. I gladly recognise the fact that the majority of members of the medical profession other than those called upon to give whole-time service, did not ask for payment.
§ Mr. WATERSONArising out of that unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice, with your permission. Sir, that I will draw the attention of the House to this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.