§ Mr. FLAVINasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in 1348W many of the auxiliary Red Cross military hospitals there are a number of voluntary aid detachment ladies who are doing not only voluntary work but have thrown up good positions and sacrificed the completion of their education in order to help and nurse the wounded soldiers; whether he is aware that a number of these nurses not only receive no salary of any kind but have to purchase their complete outfit, pay their own washing bills, and also pay in most cases the rent of their bedroom, amounting to 8s. or 10s. per week; whether he is aware that a number of these ladies cannot go on a holiday as they are not allowed the privilege accorded to paid nurses of getting their return ticket at single fare; and whether he will grant this privilege to the voluntary aid detachment ladies?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe sacrifices made by these ladies are gratefully recognised, but it is not possible to give them preferential treatment as regards railway travelling over the large number of people undertaking voluntary work in other directions in the interests of the troops.