HC Deb 16 December 1941 vol 376 cc1826-7W
Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Minister of Labour how many registered medical practitioners are at present serving as combatants in any of the Fighting Services; and whether, in view of the shortage of medical personnel for both civilian and military needs, he will allocate such practitioners to medical duties?

Mr. E. Brown

I have been asked to reply. Arrangements have been made to secure that normally a registered medical practitioners may serve in His Majesty's Forces in a medical capacity only and although I cannot give a precise figure I have reason to believe that the number serving as combatants is negligible. The matter referred to in the last part of the Question appears to be for the Service Ministers who, I am assured, agree that it is only in exceptional circumstances that a medical practitioner may be employed in a non-medical capacity.