§ 24. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for War how many nurses and sisters are still engaged in duties connected with the Army; how many of these are working overseas; and whether he will give an indication of the dates when nursing groups will be demobilised.
§ Mr. BellengerTwo thousand five hundred and thirty-one, Sir, of whom 1,581 are serving overseas. The release of age and service group 54 is to be completed by 31st August.
§ Mr SorensenWill my right hon. Friend agree that nurses and sisters should not be sent back if they have to go back for only two or three weeks?
§ Mr. BellengerI think it is uneconomic to send them back far overseas if they have a short period to serve, but I would remind my hon. Friend that in September we shall be 24 per cent. short of our total requirements, even if no further groups are released.