§ 93. Sir B. FALLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of men invalided during the last 12 months from His Majesty's Navy through tuberculosis; how many of these were considered attributable to service; and how the decision as to whether tuberculosis is attributable to or aggravated by service is arrived at?
§ Mr. AMMONThe number of men invalided during the year 1923 for tuberculosis was 143. The number of attributable cases was three, apart from cases (if any) claimed to be due to War service. The latter would be dealt with by the Ministry of Pensions. The following method of arriving at a decision as to attributability to or aggravation by service is adopted when considering cases arising during the post-War period:
§ Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
§ Attributability is only given in such cases arising—
- (1) By direct contact with another case, such as might occur in a sink berth rating from nursing, or from sleeping adjacent to a case.
- (2) From extraordinary exposure, or exertion on duty, such as war.
§ Aggravation is given—
- (1) Where the medical history of the case has shown a definite tendency to lung disease and a sufficient continuity of such disease.
- (2) Where there is a record of service in small craft, where the ventilation and cubic space are limited.
- (3) Where the disease arises under climatic conditions which amount to more than the ordinary exposure incidental to naval service.
§ As regards other cases of tuberculosis, such as those arising in joints and localised organs, attributability or aggravation is only given in cases where there 1555 is definite evidence of injury to the part sustained on duty and where it is considered that the injury has caused a lighting up of the disease.
§ Viscount CURZONHas a larger number of such cases been apparent in light cruisers of the "D" class?