§ 7. Major Milnerasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction amongst qualified sanitary inspectors who have enlisted relying upon a circular from the Royal Sanitary Institute, based on War Office instructions which promised promotion, which instructions were afterwards changed; that many senior inspectors are employed on duties such as picking up paper and cleaning latrines; and whether orders will be issued altering this state of affairs and giving sanitary inspectors the ranks and duties for which their experience fits them?
§ Mr. StanleyThe statement regarding promotion in the circular from the Royal Sanitary Institute was based on a misconception of the information obtained from the War Office. The error in the circular was pointed out to the Secretary of the Royal Sanitary Institute as soon as the circular was received in the War Office. On the same day, a correction was posted to every recruiting centre in the country. The sanitary inspectors who enlisted under any misapprehension cannot therefore have been many, and it is probable that the great majority of suitable men have already been promoted to non-commissioned rank. Instructions have already been issued that sanitary inspectors are to be employed in accordance with their qualifications.
§ Major MilnerIf there are any men who enlisted under a misapprehension, is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to permit them to be discharged?
§ Mr. StanleyI cannot do that. It was quite an unofficial circular that was sent out by this body, and it was an unauthorised statement which they made, but, as far as I know, the promises with regard to promotion have, in fact, been fulfilled in most cases.
§ Major MilnerIf I give the right hon. Gentleman particulars of cases of the sort mentioned in the Question, will he look into them?
§ Mr. StanleyYes, Sir.
§ 16. Major Milnerasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that mobile bath units, commanded by infantry officers, have been formed from various combatant corps, and attached to field hygiene sections, which are non-combatant; whether this is in accord with the Geneva Convention; and whether any order has been given barring the promotion of fully qualified sanitary inspectors to commissioned rank in field hygiene units, for which their experience specially fits them?
§ Mr. StanleyMobile bath units are non-medical units which are attached to field hygiene sections for administrative convenience. The protection of the Geneva Convention is not claimed for them, and no infringement of the Convention is involved. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to him on 17th October last.
§ Major MilnerAre not these fully qualified sanitary inspectors the most desirable people to command field hygiene units, rather than infantry or other officers?
§ Mr. StanleyField hygiene units are not commanded by infantry or other officers, but by officers with medical qualifications.
§ Major MilnerAre not mobile bath units commanded by military officers? Is not that work for fully qualified sanitary inspectors?
§ Mr. StanleyThe hon. and gallant Member's Question did not refer to mobile bath units, but to field hygiene units.
§ Major MilnerWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether they command mobile bath units?
§ Mr. StanleyPerhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put that Question on the Paper.