§ 110. Sir WILFRID SUGDENasked the Secretary of State for War if pharmacists will be invited to join the Military Hospitals Reserve; and, if so, is he prepared to give a pledge that, in the event of mobilisation, such pharmacists will not be required to fulfil their specialist duties under the orders of an Army dispenser whose pharmaceutical knowledge and training is inferior to that of the pharmacist?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I cannot give any pledge as to what might happen in hypothetical circumstances.
§ Sir W. SUGDENIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that every first and second rate Power in Europe possesses the power we are asking for in this question?
§ Captain GEEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in the Army Estimates, he will make provision so that the present dispensers in the Army may be allowed a grant to train and become qualified pharmacists according to the law of the country, in order that soldiers may have their medicines dispensed by qualified men, as is the case in the Navy?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThat is a question which contains much controversial matter. I do not say that I will include any grant in the Estimates for this purpose, but I shall be quite prepared to discuss the matter in detail with the hon. and gallant Gentleman, if he likes.