§ Brigadier Lowasked the Secretary of State for War, how many Regular R.A.M.C. officers he hopes to obtain for the post war Army; how many R.A.M.C. officers now hold Regular commissions; what other plans he has for securing suitable officers for the R.A.M.C.; and what medical qualifications, including practical medical experience are insisted on.
§ Mr. BellengerI cannot at present give accurate figures of the number of R.A.M.C. officers that will be required in the post war Army. There are now 454 holding permanent Regular and 461 holding Short Service commissions in the R.A.M.C. I expect that after the end of the emergency the normal method of entry will be by Short Service commission. A candidate for commission must be between 21 and 28 and, at the time of his appointment be registered under the appropriate Medical Act. We require a satisfactory report on his conduct, character, professional ability and fitness for commission from the authorities of his medical school. He appears before a selection board and if passed is granted a Short Service commission. Normally before joining for duty he should have held an appointment as house surgeon or house physician in a recognised civilian hospital for at least a year. After five years with a Short Service commission an officer becomes eligible for a permanent Regular commission in the R.A.M.C.