Defence Medical Services — Question

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 3:06 pm on 25 November 2009.

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Photo of Lord Walton of Detchant Lord Walton of Detchant Crossbench 3:06, 25 November 2009

My Lords, I declare an interest as a former commanding officer many years ago of the 1 Northern General Hospital (TA) and its successor unit, the 201. The unit is celebrating its centenary this year. Does the noble Baroness accept that large detachments from that unit have served with great distinction in the Gulf, Iraq and, more recently, Afghanistan, but the problem is a difficult one because in many instances they face repeated deployments overseas to the detriment of some of them in relation to their careers in the National Health Service? What efforts are the Government making to increase the recruitment of regular RAMC officers in the Regular Army, perhaps helped by the recruitment of cadets?