HC Deb 27 February 1940 vol 357 c1890
72. Sir F. Fremantle

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the nurses of the general hospitals of the Territorial Army, abolished last summer, were called up at the beginning of the war, and are waiting and available for any service required?

Mr. Stanley

The Territorial Army Nursing Service personnel attached to the Territorial Army general hospitals, which were abolished in September, 1938, were not called up at the beginning of the war. Their services were not then required and they had been individually notified that it was unlikely they would be needed for some months. A certain number volunteered for service during the first few weeks, and as many as possible of these were absorbed in the units then being formed. Others are being called up as required. The remainder are waiting and available. Meanwhile, they continue in their civil posts.

Sir F. Fremantle

Would my right hon. Friend look again into the question of the large number of nurses called up who have not been of use, and who would be of a great deal more use in the small military hospitals?

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