§ 29. Mr. Linsteadasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps he is taking to prevent a breakdown in the pharmaceutical service of the medical department of the Admiralty which will follow the threatened withdrawal of some 60 pharmacists for military service; and why these men cannot be transferred, as were dentists, from civilian officers to naval officers and so remain in the posts of which they have now specialised experience?
§ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. A. V. Alexander)The number of pharmacists in the pharmaceutical department of the Admiralty who were under 25 at the date of their registration and whose deferment therefore became liable to cancellation following a decision on the call up of civil servants is 37 and not 60 as stated by my hon. Friend. The question of the retention of these men in the Admiralty service is, however, at present being reconsidered, and it would, therefore, not be appropriate for me to say anything further at this juncture.