§ 97. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that recently there were 10 or more ex-naval officers and men inmates of the Meathop Sanatorium, some of them with 20 years' service; that a medical board took place which consisted of an examination by one doctor, and that the findings in each case were that the disability was constitutionally not caused by nor aggravated by service; and, in view of the loose term and the dissatisfaction among these ex-officers and men, will he cause inquiries to be made into some of these cases and remove any doubts that may exist?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Davidson)Naval cases of tuberculosis are invalided by Board of Survey at naval hospitals. In a very few instances, however, where the patient has already entered a sanatorium prior to coming under naval observation, it may be necessary to hold a survey with a view to invaliding without causing the patient to be moved. This survey may be carried out by the Admiralty surgeon and agent of the district in conjunction with the sanatorium authorities. The report of such survey would be examined by the Naval Medical Department at the Admiralty before action is taken, in a similar manner to that adopted for other naval medical surveys. I have no information as to the cases of tuberculosis in Meathop Sanatorium to which the hon. Member refers, but if the names of any special cases he may have in mind are furnished to me I will cause inquiry to be made.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the hon. Member aware of the dissatisfaction of these officers and men, and am I to understand that no direct representations have been made?
Mr. DAVIDSONThat is my information. If the hon. Member will give me the names of cases, I. will look into them.