Dr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for War having regard to the recent announcement by the Central Medical War Committee for volunteers for ordinary commissions in the Royal Army Medical Corps, how many doctors have volunteered up to the 30th November 1940 and have not yet been called; why volunteers are required to communicate with their local medical war committee when all that committee is able to do is to transmit names to the central committee; and is he aware that many doctors who volunteered months ago and were told to hold themselves available are still without definite information and consequently, are in a state of uncertainty as to their domestic and professional arrangements?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI have been asked to reply. I am unable to give the figures asked for in the first part of the Question. Many doctors who in answer to the questionnaire issued before the war expressed their willingness to serve in the Forces could not see their way to do so when approached at a later date, but I am assured by the Secretary to the Central Medical War Committee that of the doctors who have in recent months applied to be recommended for commissions in the Royal Army Medical Corps very few have not yet had their names submitted to the War Office, and that accordingly the situation referred to in the last part of the Question should not in general arise. If the hon. Member has any cases in mind and will let me have particulars I will make inquiries. As to the second part of the Question, reference to the local medical war committee is usually necessary in order to verify that the volunteer can be recruited without serious prejudice to the medical services of the area.