HC Deb 29 January 1897 vol 45 cc781-2
MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War what number of cases of venereal disease of all kinds were under treatment on 31st December 1896, respectively in the Aldershot, Portsmouth, Woolwich, and Irish commands, in military hospitals or elsewhere, and what proportion does this give to the total strength of the troops in the above garrisons?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, Guildford

On the 1st January 1897, the men under treatment for venereal disease at the several stations were 155 at Aldershot, 77 at Portsmouth, 84 at Woolwich, and 169 in Ireland These gave the following rates respectively per 1,000 of the strength—12.13, 18.06, 16.79, and 8.93, with an average of 11.84 per 1,000.

MAJOR RASCH

inquired if the Government intended to take any steps to remedy this state of things.

MR. BRODRICK

said that the whole question, as related to India, was under inquiry by a Departmental Committee of the India Office, and no decision with regard to any steps could be taken until the results of that inquiry were laid before Parliament.