HC Deb 27 February 1940 vol 357 cc1887-8
65. Sir Annesley Somerville

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that due provision is made for the health and medical needs of the young men in training for commissions in the Army?

Mr. Stanley

The same provision is made for the health of men in officer cadet training units as for all ranks. It is the constant endeavour to bring the medical services to the highest pitch of efficiency.

71. Sir Francis Fremantle

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 127 small military hospitals and reception stations are staffed by voluntary aid detachments with no trained nurses; that these arrangements, intended only for brief detention, are frequently obliged to accommodate cases of pneumonia, cerebro-spinal fever and other serious diseases; and whether he will appoint at least one trained nurse to each such hospital or station?

Mr. Stanley

Certificated nurses are not normally employed in small military hospitals and reception stations, which are not intended for the treatment of serious cases. Such nurses are, however, called in when their services are needed. I should be grateful if my hon. Friend would send me particulars of any case of cerebro-spinal fever being treated at one of these establishments.

Sir F. Fremantle

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, whereas this was the normal practice as understood, entirely different conditions have prevailed since the outbreak of the war and that the V.A.Ds. are absolutely untrained to look after cases that have had to be accommodated in these hospitals—127 of them?

Dr. Summerskill

In view of the alarmingly high proportion of deaths from sickness in the first casualties, will the Minister give this matter his personal attention?

Mr. Stanley

I am giving it my personal attention and I hope to make a statement about it on the Estimates; but I could not agree that there was an alarming high death rate in the first casualty list. As I explained, having regard to accidents caused by the blackout, the death rate from disease was not unduly high.

Dr. Summerskill

Surely the Parliamentary Secretary's Answer to a previous Question of mine on this subject was an admission that about 90 per cent. of the deaths in the first casualty list were due to sickness?

75 Mr. Sloan

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) to state the number of soldiers certified as sick and ailing who are billeted in private houses in Scotland because of the absence of hospital accommodation; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure the provision of adequate hospital accommodation for soldiers in Scotland;

(2) whether the numbers of sick soldiers billeted in private houses in Scotland is increasing; and how many deaths have been due to the absence of hospital accommodation;

(3) to furnish a list of the certified diseases from which soldiers billeted in private houses in Scotland are suffering?

Mr. Stanley

I have called for a report, and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.