HC Deb 13 November 1918 vol 110 cc2656-8
15 and 17. Viscount WOLMER

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) how many cases of influenza in the British Army in France and England were reported during the months of September and October, 1918; what hospital accommodation was there to cope with these cases; whether any fresh hospital accommodation was provided; if so, how many beds; (2) how many officers and men of the British Army died in England and France, respectively, from influenza or pneumonia during the months of September and October, 1918?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I regret that the figures for the United Kingdom for the month of October are not yet available. The figures for September are:

Admissions. Deaths.
Influenza—
Officers 110 nil
Other Ranks 2,791 18
Pneumonia—
Officers 20 nil
Other Ranks 361 75
I cannot give the figures in the detailed form desired in the case of France. In September there were 92 admissions to hospital on account of pneumonia and 24 deaths. The figures for October are: 2,702 admissions to hospital and 1,044 deaths due to pneumonia, and 24,894 admissions to hospital and 421 deaths due to influenza.

As regards hospital accommodation, on 1st September there were 96,000 vacant beds in hospitals in the United Kingdom, and since that date an additional 8,000 beds have been provided.

Viscount WOLMER

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking steps to have the mortality statistics of the Army compared with the civilian statistics?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I cannot say whether we are doing that now, but I will see that it is done.

16. Viscount WOLMER

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has received complaints in regard to the overcrowding of hospitals; and whether steps have been taken in all those hospitals in which influenza or pneumonia cases are numerous to reduce the number of inmates?

Mr. MACPHERSON

No complaints have been received regarding overcrowding in hospitals. It is impossible in every case to reduce the number of inmates owing to the widespread and very extensive nature of the outbreak, and the fact that the hospitals are at present strained to the utmost by the arrival of wounded from overseas.

18. Viscount WOLMER

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many cubic feet of air space per patient is considered necessary by the military authorities for patients in military hospitals suffering from influenza and pneumonia?

Mr. MACPHERSON

At present 600 cubic feet of air space has been provided as a minimum in every hospital, and with adequate ventilation and efficient warming there is no evidence that this is insufficient for ordinary cases. It is recognised that cases of influenza and pneumonia require additional air space, and this is given whenever practicable.

Viscount WOLMER

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how much extra allowance is given for influenza and pneumonia cases?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I cannot say offhand, but I shall be delighted to make inquiries and inform my hon. Friend.

Colonel McCALMONT

Is it not the case that in many districts where there has been this epidemic the figures have been very much lower for the troops than for the civilian population?

Mr. MACPHERSON

That is so.