§ Mr. FITZROYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he was aware that gun deafness is prevalent among both officers and men of the Navy; and if he would issue an order from the Admiralty making it compulsory on both officers and men to wear some form of ear protection when gun-firing is taking place on board ship?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)Cases of gun deafness undoubtedly occur, but there are no grounds for attributing any considerable number of invalidings for disease of the ear to the effects of gun fire. Protective material is already provided and can be drawn by ships. The use of cotton wool, a supply of which is always to hand, as a protective material is now so general that it would appear to be unnecessary to issue the order suggested by the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. FITZROYIs it not the fact that such an order as I have suggested exists in the Japanese Navy, and that it was found of great benefit both by officers and men during the Russo-Japanese War?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot say whether that is so, but cotton wool is used by men when in the stations in which the report of the gun might affect the ear.