14. Mr. CHANCELLORasked the Under-Secretary for War for how long 90 per cent. of the Expeditionary Force have been voluntarily inoculated; whether a general order for inoculation of our soldiers in France is in force or has been issued at any time since August; what proportion of those originally sent to-France had been inoculated; and whether hereafter information asked for material to a full knowledge of this subject will be given?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not aware that inoculation in France is otherwise than a purely voluntary measure. As regards the percentage of inoculated men in France, this was about 60 per cent. in October last. No statistics of the percentage in successive months are available, but I am glad to say it is gradually rising, as the men become enlightened as to the value of inoculation, and it is hoped that the percentage, which is now 90 per cent.—as I 1459 have already stated—will soon be 100 per cent. I am unaware of any information which has been withheld from the House on this or any other subject. On the contrary, I have always supplied the fullest information, consistent with the interests of the Army in the field.
Mr. CHANCELLORWill the right hon. gentleman kindly inform me whether a general order has, or has not, been issued in France? I have asked this question about three times.
§ Mr. TENNANTFor compulsory inoculation?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe answer is in the negative.
15. Mr. CHANCELLORasked why the death-rate amongst typhoid patients who have been fully protected with two doses of vaccine is higher than amongst those only partially protected with one dose?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am unable to express any definite opinion upon this subject at present.
16. Mr. CHANCELLORasked whether in all the cases of typhoid in the Expeditionary Force not reported as fatal recoveries had been made at the time of the Return; or, if not, how many cases were still possible fatalities?
§ Mr. TENNANTI could not say that all cases not reported as fatal at the time the last Report was rendered have recovered beyond the possibility of relapse. My medical advisers state that the prognosis in enteric fever is uncertain, and, in view of this, any statement that could be made as to how many cases are still possible fatalities would hardly provide a sound basis on which my hon. Friend could base any reliable conclusions.