HC Deb 17 July 1968 vol 768 cc213-4W
53. Mr. Roebuck

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the numbers of officers, ratings and their dependants, respectively, for whose medical and dental care there are responsible in Malta one surgeon-rear-admiral, three surgeon-captains, seven surgeon-commanders, four surgeon-lieutenant-commanders, five surgeon-lieutenants, one squadron-leader, two executive officers, 28 clerks and typists, one catering supervisor, one principal matron, two matrons, five superintending sisters, 41 sisters, 49 nurses, and 60 medical ratings.

Dr. David Owen

The R.N. Hospitals at Bighi and Imtarfa provide for members of all three Services, United Kingdom-based civilians, locally entered personnel, and dependants. In total this amounts to 20,360, broken down as follows:

U.K. Service officers 580
U.K. Service other ranks 3,440
Families of U.K.-based servicemen 6,330
Locally entered officers 40
Locally entered other ranks 1,720
Families of locally entered uniformed personnel 6,340
U.K. based civilians 540
Families of U.K.-based civilians 1,160
N.A.T.O servicemen and their dependants 210
20,360

In addition, all H.M. ships visiting Malta discharge their patients to these hospitals.

54. Mr. Roebuck

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make arrangements to post to National Health Service hospitals some of the complement of one surgeon-rear-admiral, three surgeon-captains, seven surgeon-commanders, four surgeon-lieutenant-commanders, five surgeon-lieutenants, one squadron-leader, two executive officers, 28 clerks and typists, one catering supervisor, one principal matron, two matrons, five superintending sisters, 41 sisters, 49 nurses, and 60 medical ratings at present in Malta, to keep them fully occupied and to assist civilians, especially young chronic sick.

Dr. David Owen

No. It must be remembered that the staff must cover a wide range of specialities and a reduction of more than 50 per cent. is already intended to match the rundown of the Forces in Malta. The manpower savings that will be made in Malta will be very welcome to the Royal Navy to relieve shortages of Naval medical staff elsewhere.