§ 1. Major-General Sir RICHARD LUCEasked the Minister of Pensions what steps are being taken to make permanent medical appointments under the Ministry; and if English nationality and active service in the late War will be taken into special consideration in making selections for permanent appointments?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Lieut.-Colonel Stanley)It has been decided to create 48 permanent established appointments on the medical staff of the Ministry and to fill those appointments from the existing full-time temporary medical staff. All members of the full-time temporary staff who are within the prescribed age limit of eligibility have been notified of the conditions of the appointments, and a selection committee presided over by the First Civil Service Commissioner is at present engaged in 607 interviewing a selected number of the candidates. All candidates must satisfy the general rule of the Civil Service as regards British nationality, and must have served in His Majesty's Forces in the late War.
§ Mr. WATTSIs my hon. and gallant Friend aware that disabled medical men with several years' war service, who have served on the Board for several years, are gradually being replaced by young men, in many cases engaged in general practice, and with no war service?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYThat does not apply to this question. This is a question of established appointments and has nothing to do with what my hon. Friend is talking about.