§ 13. Mr. THURTLEasked the Secretary of State for War the number of troops of the Shanghai Defence Force who had been admitted to hospital as a result of sickness up to the time of the latest report received by his Department?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI am unable to state the total number of admissions to hospital, but the average weekly number of officers and men of the Shanghai Defence Force and the permanent garrison at Hong Kong, including Indian troops, who were in hospital during the four weeks ending 20th May was 15 and 860 respectively.
§ Mr. W. THORNEDoes the right hon. Gentleman think he will be able to withdraw all this Defence Force between now and the next General Election?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThat I could not possibly say.
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI think this answer gives the information. It gives the average figure of those in hospital per week.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSMay I ask how the ratio compares with that of the same number of troops at home?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIt is higher, but there is nothing extraordinary in the figures. Of course we are watching them very carefully.