Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 8 July 1947.
Mr Reginald Sorensen
, Leyton West
12:00,
8 July 1947
asked the Secretary of State for War how many nurses and sisters are still engaged in duties connected with the army; how many of these are working overseas; and whether he will give an indication of the dates when nursing groups will be demobilised.
Mr Frederick Bellenger
, Bassetlaw
Two thousand five hundred and thirty-one, Sir, of whom 1,581 are serving overseas. The release of age and service group 54 is to be completed by 31st August.
Mr Reginald Sorensen
, Leyton West
Will my right hon. Friend agree that nurses and sisters should not be sent back if they have to go back for only two or three weeks?
Mr Frederick Bellenger
, Bassetlaw
I think it is uneconomic to send them back far overseas if they have a short period to serve, but I would remind my hon. Friend that in September we shall be 24 per cent. short of our total requirements, even if no further groups are released.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
