§ 21. Sir Francis Fremantleasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the seconding of medical officers from the Army, with arrangements for their instant recall in case of need, to relieve the excessive demands made on medical practitioners by the calling up of younger men and by the greatly increased demand for medical attention to the civil population during the winter months?
§ Captain MargessonApplications for the temporary release from the Army of medical officers to meet the needs of the 410 civil population have been, and will continue to be, sympathetically considered, but it must be remembered that the Army can ill spare their services.
§ Sir F. FremantleDoes my right hon. and gallant Friend realise that something like 8,000 medical officers have been taken from civil services to the Forces, although civil needs are greater now than they were in normal times, because of bombing casualties? Is he aware also that a very large number of Army medical officers have very little to do, while the civil services offer a very great deal of work that they can do?
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesIs the Minister keeping in touch with the Ministry of Health on this problem?
§ Captain MargessonYes, Sir.