HC Deb 26 February 1946 vol 419 cc360-1W
Captain Crowder

asked the Secretary of State for War how many ambulance transports are still being used for the transport of sick and wounded Servicemen back to the United Kingdom from overseas; and how soon he anticipates that there will be sufficient hospital ships available to dispense with the use of ambulance transports, having regard to the lack of comfort and inadequate facilities provided therein

Mr. Lawson

Two vessels fitted as ambulance transports are engaged on this work. I cannot accept the suggestion that the degree of comfort and the facilities provided on these ships are inadequate for the purpose for which they are intended. Hospital ships are still used for the transport of the more seriously ill patients. I should, however, point out that it is not the normal peacetime practice to carry invalids in hospital ships, as the numbers involved are too small.