§ Mr. GWYNNEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the fact that under the new Regulations members of 58W the military massage service are required to sign an agreement which states that the general officer commanding of the command in which the member is serving may give her a month's notice in writing during her year's service, but there is no clause which gives, her a similar right; and whether he can see his way to have this difference removed?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am aware that this is the case. The arrangement is considered necessary in order to secure continuity of service on the part of these members, while retaining the right to dispense with their services if these should no longer be required.
§ Mr. GWYNNEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that there is considerable discontent in the military massage service at the new rates of pay; and whether he can see his way to grant a 2s. 6d. increase after the first six months' service and a further one at the end of the year?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar question asked by the hon. and learned Member for Cambridge University on 26th February, to the effect that the rates were adopted after very full consideration, but that certain representations regarding them are at present under consideration.
§ Mr. GWYNNEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to paragraph 3, Category A, of Army Council Instruction, No. 65 of 1919, where it states that masseuses who are not fully qualified can be enrolled in the military massage service; and whether, in view of the interests of the patients or of those who are fully qualified, he proposes to reconsider this provision?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLCategory "A" includes those holding the certificate of the Incorporated Society of Trained Masseurs or of such universities, training colleges, medical schools or hospitals as may from time to time be approved by the Advisory Council for the supply of massage personnel to the War Office and Pensions Ministry. The intention was to enrol under Category "B" those masseuses who did not possess the qualifications necessary for Category "A," but who at the same had received abonâ fide training, were well recommended by medical practitioners, and were approved by the 59W Advisory Council. The question of the advisability of retaining the paragraph dealing with Category "B" under present conditions is under consideration.