§ Sir W. Smilesasked the Secretary of State for War how many nursing sisters of the Q.A.I.M.N.S.R. are now serving in India; how many will still be serving in India after 1st January, 1948; and as these sisters serve longer in the Army than men of the same age and service group, if he will expedite their release so that they can take up further training and qualify for their L.I.A.P.
§ Mr. ShinwellOne hundred and nineteen officers of the Q.A.I.M.N.S.(R.) are now serving in India; 35 will still be serving in India after 1st January, 1948. I regret that they cannot be released at a faster rate than that already announced, because the Army is already approximately 30 per cent. short of its requirements of nursing officers.