§ Mr. Grovesasked the Secretary of State for War the constitution, personnel, and functions, of the committee of reference which is working in conjunction with the Central Medical War Committee in connection with appointments of medical practitioners as surgeons in charge of divisions; and why, as such appointments carry the rank of lieutenant-colonel, they are not made by way of promotions from the Royal Army Medical Corps, instead of by the Central Medical War Committee?
§ Mr. StanleyThe committee of reference is composed of representatives of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons and Physicians and of the British College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and advises the Central Medical War Committee in relation to the consultant and specialist staff of the voluntary and municipal hospitals in the London area only. They also consider the professional suitability of specialists in the London area who have volunteered for the medical services of the Armed Forces and whose names are submitted to them by the Central Medical War Committee.
Recommendations for specialists outside the London area for service with the Armed Forces are made by a sub-committee of the Central Medical War Committee, which sub-committee includes distinguished consultant surgeons. The 29W appointments referred to are made by selection from officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps or from suitable civilian surgeons who volunteer for service with the Army.