§ 10. Mr. Irvineasked the Secretary of State for War the number of British Army surgeons now serving in Malaya and Singapore; and whether he is satisfied that such number is sufficient.
§ Mr. StracheyThere are seven British Army surgeons serving in Malaya and Singapore. They are available to fly to any locality where their services may be needed. This is an addition of three Royal Army Medical Corps surgeons to the numbers previously serving in Malaya and Singapore. I am keeping the requirement under careful review. There are, in addition, 16 European civilian surgeons in Malaya and Singapore who can be, and are, called on should Army surgeons not be immediately available.
§ Mr. IrvineWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for that answer and recognising the improvement which has occurred, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the numbers in his reply struck many Members as extremely small, having regard to the evidence of the countless lives that can be saved by surgeons working forward with military units?
§ Mr. StracheyI will bear that in mind.
§ Mr. Somerville HastingsIs my right hon. Friend convinced that these seven surgeons are men of experience and repute?
§ Mr. StracheyYes, Sir, I have no reason to suppose that they are not. They are Regular surgeons serving in the R.A.M.C.
§ Commander NobleCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether there has been any recent request from Malaya for more surgeons?
§ Mr. StracheyYes, Sir, and these three additions meet the requests.