§ Mr. MORRELLasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that a large number of qualified surgeons-and medical practitioners are undergoing a course of military training at Blackpool; whether many of these men have for weeks past been engaged all day on the usual Infantry drill without the opportunity of doing any medical or surgical work of any kind whatever, although in many cases they are highly skilled men and have given up large practices in order to serve in the Army; whether a similar state of things exists in other training centres; and whether, in view of the need for doctors' and surgeons at the front, he will take any steps in the matter?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMedical men are sent to Blackpool Training Centre for a 1151W short course of instruction, on the completion of which they are dispatched to the forces abroad. All the officers, other than the permanent staff of those temporarily unfit for service abroad, are waiting opportunities for shipment. There is no other training centre for Royal Army Medical Corps officers.