§ 11. Commander BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, in view of the need of economy and the cost of paper and printing whether he is aware that the Statistical Report of the Health of the Navy in 1914 was only issued on 27th October or a few weeks ago; whether he will consider what action shall be taken in regard to Reports for subsequent years; whether a brief Report covering the whole of the war years will meet the needs of the situation; and whether similar action can be taken in regard to any other belated Reports?
§ Sir J. CRAIGThe Admiralty are advised that a break in the continuity of the statistical information contained in this Report would to a great extent destroy the value of the whole series. The comparative statistics published in these Reports form a basis on which preventive measures and effects of treatment in important diseases are estimated. Hardly any economy will be effected by the course suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend, but if the House will be satisfied not to have these Reports issued as Command Papers, they could be produced as Stationery Office Publications at a saving of about 20 per cent, on the present cost. The publication would then cost about £100 per annum.