§ Mr. COCHRANEasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether medical students who are at present acting as surgeon probationers or sick-berth attendants in His Majesty's Navy cannot obtain their discharge in order to resume their studies unless they are able to qualify as medical practitioners within nine months, whereas similar students in His Majesty's Army can obtain their discharge for this purpose if they can qualify within three years; and, if so, whether, in view of the shortage of medical practitioners, he will grant equal facilities to medical students in His Majesty's Navy?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMedical students who are serving in the Navy as surgeon probationers or sick-berth attendants, and who apply for demobilisation for the purpose of sitting for their final examination, are granted that permission if they can sit for their final examination within eighteen months from the date of their application. The question of being able to qualify in nine months has never been taken into account in considering such applications. I might add that, at the present moment steps are being taken in conjunction with the Ministry of National Service with a view to securing that the service of medical students as surgeon probationers shall be limited to six months, but in no case shall exceed twelve months.