§ Mr. Frankelasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 15 girls in the A.T.S., acting as postal workers, billeted at 53, Henry Road, Nottingham, until recently had no recreation room and have only three chairs in that now provided; that there is no hot water available; that they may not be supplied with hot water for hot water bottles; that 1701W the rooms are not heated; that most have contracted influenza but the military hospital being full the girls have had to wrap themselves in blankets to keep warm; that the bedding and clothes are continually damp; and whether he will make immediate inquiries into these complaints?
§ Mr. A. HendersonFrom preliminary inquiries which have been made into this case it appears that this is one of a number of requisitioned houses used for accommodating auxiliaries in Nottingham. It has its own recreation room, but owing to the shortage of the necessary stores it has only recently been possible to furnish it fully. There has been a breakdown in the hot water system and new boilers are being fitted. Meanwhile arrangements have been made for auxiliaries to attend the public baths and the fire in the recreation room is available for heating water for hot water bottles. The medical officer who regularly inspects the quarters has never reported any dampness and it has not been considered that fires in the bedrooms are necessary. In November one out of seven of the auxiliaries in this company reported sick with influenza and colds. This figure compares favourably with those of the other three A.T.S. companies working under similar conditions. All auxiliaries receive immediate medical attention, and an extra sick bay to accommodate the overflow from the military hospital was opened. The epidemic has now subsided and there is no further need for extra accommodation.