§ 43. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for War why the new rule governing the discharge from the Forces of men disabled owing to war service does not apply to those suffering from tuberculosis.
§ Sir J. GriggMost of the sanatoria in this country are run by the civilian authorities, and Service patients are transferred there as soon as arrangements can be made, so that they can receive the prolonged special treatment they need. These sanatoria do not admit patients who are in the Services and they are therefore discharged before admission.
§ Mr. DribergWhile realising that this procedure was administratively more convenient, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the psychological considerations were also borne in mind sympathetically?
§ Sir J. GriggIf the hon. Member is talking about psychological considerations perhaps he will address the question to some other Minister. [An HON. MEMBER: "Which one?"] If it is a condition made by those responsible for these hospitals that they will admit only civilian patients, there is no alternative but to discharge the Service men from the Service before they can be admitted to those hospitals for the treatment they need.