§ 7. Lieut.-Colonel POWNALLasked the Secretary of State for War what action it is intended to take to fill the many hundred vacancies for lieutenants in the Royal Army Medical Corps?
§ Mr. WALSHAs my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, there has been a reduction in the establishment of Royal Army Medical Corps officers, and the vacancies are not so numerous as his question would imply. The number of vacancies is only about 40 at present, and I hope that a large proportion of these will be: filled as the result of next month's entrance examination. Beyond this, I can add nothing to my previous replies, in which I indicated that the present shortage was receiving careful consideration.
§ Lieut.-Colonel POWNALLCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many lieutenants there are now in the Royal Army Medical Corps, and what is the shortage as compared with six months ago?
§ Mr. WALSHI could not say off-hand, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will put a question down I will give him the information.