§ 62. General Sir George Jeffreysasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that rations on the civilian scale are issued instead of Service rations to wounded patients in E. M. S. hospitals; and, as the more ample rations to which as serving personnel they are entitled would conduce to the restoration of their strength, what action he is proposing to take in this matter.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Willink)The position is not quite as stated in the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question. Where the number of Service patients is a substantial proportion of the total patients in a hospital, meat on the home service scale may be made available in respect of all the Service patients. In other respects the rations are on the civilian scale and I have been advised that these, with the other foods available, should enable hospitals to supply their patients, both Service and civilian, with a well-balanced diet, suited to their needs.
§ Sir G. JeffreysIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that in one parti- 1130 cular E.M.S. hospital, namely, Park Prewitt Hospital, Hampshire, where there are, or were, some 1,200 wounded Service patients, these conditions most certainly do not apply? The meat is issued on the civilian scale. Is he further aware that the medical officer in charge and the committee of that hospital drew the attention of his Department to the fact that they wished Service rations to be issued to these wounded Service patients, and that they consider their health and nourishment would be greatly benefited by the Service ration?
§ Mr. WillinkMy hon. and gallant Friend is putting a question as to a particular hospital, and I will, of course, look into the position at that particular hospital, but it is surprising to me to hear that the meat position is as he has described.