asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a senior woman medical officer to assist in meeting the needs of the large number of women employed by the army?

A number of women doctors, in some cases appointed to the Royal Army Medical Corps, in others employed as civil medical practitioners, are now rendering service to the army, but the appointment of a senior woman medical officer is not at present considered necessary.

Does not my right hon. Friend realise that a great deal of the policy and the arrangements for these women really must be in the hands of a senior woman medical officer who is able to understand the needs of women much better than we men can possibly understand them?

I do not entirely agree with my hon. Friend, who in his medical capacty was, I am sure, not unable to understand the needs of women, but certainly we shall have no hesitation in appointing a senior woman medical officer as soon as we consider it is necessary.

Will my right hon. Friend also consider that I have feelings as a husband which make me realise my inadequacy for advising on things about women?

Viscountess Astor:

Is it not true that until you had a senior woman appointed at the War Office to look after the Women's Territorial Army you were getting into an awful mess?