HC Deb 12 May 1925 vol 183 cc1689-90W
Major HORE-BELISHA

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth, seamen and stokers arc being employed as orderlies and attendants on the patients in the wards owing to the shortage of sick-berth attendants: that the seamen and stokers are in four watches for leave, whereas the permanent staff are in two; and will the fixed number of recruits for the sick-berth branch he sufficient to provide reliefs for these seamen and stokers and also allow the permanent staff to be put into four watches for leave?

Mr. DAVIDSON:

Owing to a temporary shortage of sick-berth staff, which is being made good, eleven seamen ratings are serving at the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth, as mess hands and orderlies. They are not employed as attendants on patients. Both the permanent staff and the seamen ratings are in four watches for leave.