asked the Minister for Defence if he will state if he has received a memorandum on the treatment of soldiers who contract tuberculosis whilst serving in the Army and whether soldiers are discharged immediately on the discovery of tuberculosis but detained in hospital as free patients until such time as sanatorium treatment is available, and then cut off completely from all pay and allowances; and, if so, if he will ensure that their pay and allowances are fully restored whilst they are undergoing treatment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment of Tubercular Soldiers.
I have received the memorandum referred to by the Deputy. Soldiers are not discharged immediately they are discovered to be suffering from tuberculosis. Such soldiers are discharged from the forces only when, in accordance with the normal practice, they have been recommended by a medical board as physically unfit for Army service. After discharge from the forces they are detained in hospital as free patients until sanatorium treatmentis available. As they are detained in hospital after discharge in the capacity of civilian patients, the question of pay and allowances does not arise.