asked the Minister of Defence when he will undertake to institute a unified medical organisation for the three Defence Services, in order to economise in manpower and medical supplies.

As I explained in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelsea (Commander Noble) on 9th July last, it has not yet been established that the institution of a unified medical service is to be preferred to the maximum degree of co-ordination between the existing Services.

Has the mind of the Minister really not been able to travel any further distance on this matter since 9th July?

I said that the matter was under examination, but if one is talking about either co-ordination or integration, one must first be satisfied that it is going to improve efficiency or reduce costs.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that medical officers of both the R.A.F. and the Army are writing to the medical journals week by week to say that they have virtually nothing to do, and, in those circumstances, would the right hon. Gentleman take steps to economise in manpower with regard to such men?

I must say that I have seen one or two comments of that kind, but they do not agree with the advice given by their senior professional advisers.

Would the right hon. Gentleman take steps to get some co-ordination of the specialist services of the three Defence Forces?

Certainly, that is already being done.