Commander Bowerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War 518W Transport what facilities exist at Murmansk for the treatment of sick and wounded British merchant seamen?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerUntil the late summer of last year, our merchant seamen who were wounded or ill in Murmansk were received in Russian hospitals, the facilities of which were generously placed at our disposal by the Soviet Government. We were then enabled to arrange for the establishment of a British hospital unit in Northern Russia. This unit, which is staffed by British Naval officers and ratings, now deals with all sick and wounded British merchant seamen at Murmansk. We have also proposed to the Soviet Government the establishment of a second British hospital unit at another port in Northern Russia. This has been agreed to in principle, and I hope that it may shortly be at work.