§ 3. Mr. Dayasked the Secretary of State for War whether the establishment of the Royal Army Medical Corps attached to the Sussex Territorial Regiment and the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers of the same unit is complete; if not, why the services were refused of an eminent surgeon, of Worthing, possessing the qualifications of Master in Surgery, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, whose age is 38 years, and who offered himself for enlistment in both the above-mentioned?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThere are at the moment no vacancies for Royal Army Medical Corps Officers on the Territorial Army Active List in Sussex. It is possible that the surgeon in question would be 968 able to join some Territorial Army unit elsewhere, where there is a vacancy, or he may be eligible for a commission in the Supplementary Reserve. I shall be very glad if he will apply to the War Office for appointment to the latter. Certificate "B" is a necessary qualification for direct entry into the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers.
§ Mr. DayAre we to understand then, that medical practitioners, no matter how high their qualifications, are not eligible for this regiment?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaIf there is no vacancy, of course no one can be admitted.
§ Mr. DayIs the Minister aware that Certificate "B" to which he has referred, is quite unknown at the Brighton headquarters of the Sussex Territorials; and will he give instructions to enable them to explain what it is?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaOn the contrary, Certificate "B" is so well-known that there could be no possible error about it. In fact, this surgeon was informed that he would require Certificate "B" if he desired a commission in the Territorial Army Reserve.
§ Mr. DayIs the Minister aware that at Brighton headquarters they said they had no knowledge of it?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaNo, Sir. The hon. Member was good enough to send me a copy of the correspondence, in which the point was made absolutely plain.