HC Deb 12 January 1998 vol 304 cc130-1W
30. Mr. Rapson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current state of the Defence Medical Service. [20225]

34. Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his plans for the Defence Medical Service. [20229]

Mr. Spellar

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces to the hon. Member for Harborough (Mr. Garnier) on 1 December 1997,Official Report, columns 22–23. The main problems experienced by the Defence Medical Service at present are shortages of personnel and equipment. The greatest manpower shortages are among general and orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetists, physicians and operating theatre nurses.