§ 6. Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for War whether, as it is necessary to employ 57 temporary and retired officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps and there is a deficiency of 124 of the authorised establishment, he will consult with the Board of Admiralty and the Air Ministry in order to endeavour to discover the cause of this shortage of medical officers under the present regulations?
§ Mr. SHAWI have this matter under my personal consideration and am in close touch with my colleagues in regard to it.
§ Major GLYNIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the condition is satisfactory as regards medical officers?
§ Mr. SHAWNo, I am not satisfied that the condition is satisfactory, but unfortunately the difficulties in the way are not easy to surmount.
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEIs not this the same question as has been on the tapis for 12 years, and is it not, therefore, necessary to make urgent efforts to deal with the matter? Will not some urgent action be taken?
§ Mr. SHAWThere is one word that would solve the whole matter—money; but unfortunately by the free provision of money one might do more harm than 1036 good with other officers of the Forces who are not on the medical side.
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEThat is to say, there is a total impasse so far as the Secretary of State is concerned?