HC Deb 24 January 1918 vol 101 cc1171-2W
Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether -he is aware that, while Article 361 of the Royal Pay Warrant, 1914, provides for the issue of charge pay to officers in charge of a general or other hospital, or of a division of a general hospital, the War Office letter 48/A.M.C./895 (A.M.D. 1) of 21st November, 1917, limits the issue of charge pay to the officers in charge of the surgical and medical divisions only of certain hospitals; whether he is aware that the medical officer in charge of the mental division of 1,000 beds in the Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington, has been refused charge pay, although the medical officers in charge of the medical and surgical divisions in the same hospital of 462 and 1,538 beds, respectively, are recognised as eligible for charge pay if drawing full Army pay; and whether he will take immediate steps to amend the interpretation which the War Office appears to have placed on Article 361 of the Royal Pay Warrant, 1914, so as to permit of the issue of charge pay to the medical officer in charge of any division of a recognised general hospital possessing the requisite number of equipped beds?

Mr. FORSTER

The letter in. question merely explained the provisions of the Royal Warrant governing the issue of charge pay. The Warrant allows charge pay for the divisions of a general hospital, and these hospitals are invariably organised into two divisions—medical and surgical—the former including all cases that are not surgical in character, and it is not proposed in this case to alter the practice of the service. The mental cases in the Lord Derby War Hospital are treated in the mental section of the medical division.

Mr. ROWLANDS

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether a decision has not yet been arrived at as to bonus and payment to the chemists and dispensers at the military hospitals?

Mr. FORSTER

I much regret that a decision has riot been arrived at as to the pay of the dispensers at Woolwich. I hope that a decision will be reached shortly, and I will see that some retrospective effect is given.