§ Captain CLIVEasked the Secretary for War whether the supposed enteric germ-carriers are still being detained in military hospitals and subjected to experimental medical treatment; and when he proposes to publish a further report on the success, or want of success, of this treatment?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe Army Council has decided that germ carriers shall be treated for three months in hospital on arrival in England, and if not cured at the end of that time will be given the option of remaining in hospital for further treatment. If they decline further treatment they will be discharged from the Service. Consequent on this decision the men now at Netley will be discharged from the Service if they decline further treatment. The second report on the carriers will shortly be published.
§ Mr. A. LUPTONWill not the right hon. Gentleman refer the whole question of germ-carrying to some unprejudiced authority for investigation?
§ Mr. HALDANEI think the Army Council is an unprejudiced authority. Nobody would desire to keep men unnecessarily in the hospital.
§ Mr. LUPTONIs there not a very large section of public opinion which thinks that the whole subject of germ-carrying as now dealt with is nonsense?
§ Mr. HALDANEThis is a new branch of knowledge which is not so far advanced as I should like it to be.
§ Mr. LUPTONCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is a new branch of knowledge or only a new branch of darkest ignorance?