15. Miss Wardasked the Secretary of State for India how many fully-trained nurses there are in India; and what steps are being taken to increase training facilities.
§ Mr. AmeryThe total number of nurses for the civil population is understood to be about 5,000. Provincial Governments are making every effort to increase the number of nurses, but hitherto the response in India has been somewhat disappointing.
Miss WardIn view of the fact that in the Burma campaign nurses have been in very short supply, can my right hon. Friend say whether any V.A.D.'s have been sent out?
§ Mr. AmeryIf the hon. Lady is referring to military nurses, I must point out that my reply dealt with civil nurses. Military nurses are the responsibility of the War Office. Undoubtedly there has been difficulty in getting as many as are needed, but I understand that some 250 V.A.D.'s are being sent out, to supplement the existing staff.
§ Mr. SorensenHow many of the 7,000 are Indian nurses?