§ 18. Mr. Dayasked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements or provisions are in force in the Army for the purpose of providing medical attention for the families of men serving in His Majesty's Forces?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaAs the answer is a long one, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. DayDoes the answer state whether the families of men at military stations are provided with hospital treatment?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaYes, Sir, that matter is dealt with in the answer.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The families of soldiers on the married quarters roll are afforded medical attendance as a privilege so far as facilities are available from a military source. At practically all military stations there is a military medical officer or employed civilian medical practitioner whose duties include medical attendance on soldiers' families. If unfit to attend the medical inspection room, families on the married quarters roll may be attended in their quarters provided they reside within a radius of one mile from a point fixed by the General Officer Commanding (usually the medical inspection room). At certain stations, where the strength of the garrison is large in comparison with the civil population, there is a military 180 families hospital to which the families of soldiers on the married quarters roll may be admitted. At stations where there is no military families hospital, a member of the family of a soldier on the married quarters roll may, in special circumstances, be admitted to a civil hospital at the cost of Army Funds.
§ Families of soldiers not on the married quarters roll may also have such facilities as are available, but they are not eligible to be visited at their residences by a medical officer. They may, under the special authority of the General Officer Commanding, be admitted to a military families hospital on payment of one shilling a day.