§ 22. Mr. MARKHAMasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what number of engineer rating artificers and chief engineer rating artificers have been invalided out of the service during 1930 owing to tuberculosis; and whether, seeing that three of them in His Majesty's ship "Rodney" have been invalided during the months of August to October, 1930, he can say whether the conditions on board are a contributory cause?
Mr. ALEXANDERTwo chief engine room artificers, six engine room artificers and one apprentice. engine room artificer were invalided from the Service between the 1st January and the 31st October, 1930, on account of tuberculosis. Of these one case was of non-pulmonary tuberculosis. As regards the latter part of the question it is not considered that the conditions on board are a contributory cause as returns received from the ship to date indicate that the general health of the ship's company is very good. 2204 Moreover the "Rodney," one of our latest battleships, is constructed entirely in accordance with the most modern principles and ideas in regard to ventilation and hygiene.
Mr. ALEXANDERNo, speaking from memory I should, say not, but, if the Noble Lady will put down a question, I will endeavour to answer it more fully.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs it not the case that the British Navy is the healthiest occupation in the world?