§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a rating who recently met with an accident in H.M.S. "Carysfort," at Devonport, had to wait nearly two hours for the arrival of a doctor to attend him, and, although all medical stores were on board, there was no qualified person who could open the medical chest and render first aid; and whether, seeing that this ship has more than 200 ratings aboard, he will take steps to see that either a medical officer or sick-berth rating is borne?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe accident in question was the upsetting of a kettle of hot water on a man's foot. First aid was efficiently rendered at once and had the services of a doctor been urgently required he could have been summoned by boat in a short time. When the doctor arrived an hour and ten minutes afterwards he found the foot very well dressed and the patient comfortable, having eaten a good supper. It is not considered necessary to appoint medical staff to ships in reserve at the home ports other than ships of the senior officers of the reserve.