§ Captain CLIVEasked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that treatment both with general and specific vaccine are now admitted to have failed, he can say when the supposed germ-carriers at Millbank Hospital will be released; and what compensation will be given them for detention, loss of promotion, etc.?
The HON. MEMBERfurther asked if, seeing that Lance-sergeant Inkpen, 1st Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), has been passed over for promotion to sergeant owing to his detention as a germ-carrier, and having thereby failed to attain this rank within nine years is disqualified for a sergeant's pension, what compensation he proposes to give him; and whether he will now be allowed to take his discharge?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Haldane)Although the general and specific vaccines have not been successful in the urinary cases another method of treatment is now being employed, and it is not proposed to discharge these men as medically unfit until every reasonable 521 method of treatment has been tried. I may point out that these men are undergoing this special treatment in their own interests and in the interest of their comrades, to whom in their present state they would be considered a danger. No question of compensation arises.
§ Captain CLIVEThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the question as to compensation.
§ Mr. HALDANENo question of compensation arises in such a hypothetical case as that.