§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that, by an order issued from headquarters, London Command, discharged soldiers are no longer permitted to enter military hospitals for the purpose of undergoing operations; and whether, in view of the hardship involved, he will take steps to have that order cancelled?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENI am aware of the order referred to, and in view of the grave difficulties resulting from it I have made strong representations on the matter to the Army Council, and have furnished them with a statement as to the civil hospitals in which accommodation is immediately required. The Army Council have at my instance issued instructions to the London and other Commands to submit proposals without delay for obtaining accommodation for serving soldiers elsewhere than in these hospitals, so that the immediate requirements for discharged men may be met. At the same time the Army Council have agreed to admit a limited number of discharged men to the military orthopædic hospitals for in-patient treatment, and to accept patients in the military hospitals for facial injuries.