HC Deb 19 June 1940 vol 362 cc146-7
19. Sir Robert Young

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many wounded soldiers are in hospitals at a great distance from their homes; and whether he will take steps to transfer cases which entail no danger to the soldiers to the hospitals nearest their homes and thus enable wives and relatives to visit them at much reduced expense, and in many cases where the expense cannot be met from the allowances paid them?

The Financial Secretary to the War Office (Mr. Richard Law)

In the circumstances in which most of these soldiers arrived in this country, it was not possible to distribute them to hospitals according to the location of their homes, and transport and other difficulties make it impracticable to arrange transfers except for medical reasons. When patients are well enough to travel by ordinary conveyance, they are sent on leave and instructed to report at hospitals near their homes.

Sir R. Young

Will the hon. Gentleman remember that many of these wounded men who are located in the West and are far from their homes in the North and that the expenses of travelling are greater than the allowance received?

Mr. Law

I think the expense of travelling is partly met.

Sir Francis Fremantle

Will the hon. Gentleman remember that many of these men are not able to get home because the hospital refuses to help them by transport in any way? Will he see that the ambulance service is properly used, because in certain cases that I know of vehicles have been standing idle?

Mr. Law

I will certainly look into that point.

Mr. G. Strauss

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many wives and mothers of wounded soldiers are unable to visit their relatives in hospital because the reduction in fares is nothing like enough? They cannot afford it, and will he consider a further reduction in these cases?

20. Sir R. Young

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a free, or reduced-priced, railway ticket is granted to the wives of British Expeditionary Force wounded officers to enable them to visit their husbands in hospitals, where these are at a distance from their homes; and, if so, will he state the concession made regarding price and distance to be travelled?

Mr. Law

For visits to an officer in hospial, his wife and his children under 16 years of age can use concession vouchers enabling them to make the double journey at single fare. When the officer is dangerously ill, a free travelling warrant will be allowed for two relatives if they are unable to afford the cost of the journey.

Sir R. Young

Does that apply to other ranks as well?

Mr. Law

This Question addressed itself only to officers, but it applies to other ranks as well.