§ 85. Brigadier-General COLVINasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that many officers of the Royal Indian Medical Service have had no English leave for many years; and 2340 whether, having regard to the debilitating climate of India, he will take steps which will enable officers of this service to have leave at regular periods?
§ Mr. PARKER (Lord of the Treasury, for Mr. Montagu)My right hon. Friend regrets that, owing to the conditions created by the War, it has not been possible to grant leave to the Indian Medical Service to the extent desirable. Every effort is being made to bring the Service up to full strength, and so make it possible to grant leave more freely. As the hon. and gallant Member is doubtless aware, the terms of service have been immensely improved, with the object of attracting a larger number of candidates of the best type. But the falling off in the out-turn of the medical schools during the War makes this a slow process. In the meantime, all the Government of India can do is to restrict the amount of leave that may be taken by an officer at one time, so that as many officers as possible may come home.