HC Deb 16 January 1945 vol 407 c14
19. Miss Ward

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of relatives with the arrangements made for repatriated prisoners of war suffering from tuberculosis; and if he will consider these complaints with a view to an alteration of the present policy.

Sir J. Grigg

It is the policy of the Army to discharge soldiers suffering from tuberculosis as soon as possible so that if necessary they may enter civil sanatoria near their homes. Repatriated prisoners of war are given special consideration, but I am aware that there is sometimes delay in admission owing to pressure on accommodation. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health has therefore set aside a number of beds in E.M.S. hospitals specially for Service patients awaiting transfer to sanatoria. This should materially help to remove any cause for complaint.

Miss Ward

Will my right hon. Friend kindly convey the information to the Minister of Health that his arrangements are most unsatisfactory and ask him to improve them in the future?

Sir J. Grigg

I will certainly pass on the message to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, but whether I shall do it quite in these truculent terms is a matter which I should like to consider.

Dr. Edith Summerskill

In view of the fact that these men contracted the disease in the Army, can the right hon. Gentleman say why he is shelving his responsibility in this matter?

Sir J. Grigg

Because that happens to be the arrangement prescribed in the Army Regulations. The Army do not look after tuberculosis patients. Patients discharged for disability in the Army are looked after, in the case of tuberculosis, by the Ministry of Health, and in the case of other diseases in Ministry of Pensions hospitals.