§ 5. Dr. Broughtonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what standard textbook on aviation medicine has been adopted for the use of medical officers of the Royal Air Force.
§ Dr. BroughtonIs the Minister satisfied that that book is up-to-date in its contents; and, as there is a very good book written by a British author which is recommended for use in the Air Forces of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India and Pakistan, why is this book not recommended for use in the Royal Air Force? It is Dr. Bergin's "Aviation Medicine."
Mr. WardMr. Armstrong is an American author whose book was published in this country in 1952 by Balliere, Tindall and Cox, and it is, I think, generally accepted to be the best reference work on the subject so far produced. Of course, Dr. Bergin's book is also available in command libraries.
§ Mr. BeswickIs the hon. Gentleman aware that his statement that the American work is generally accepted is not within the experience of many people and that it is not generally accepted by many Dominion Air Forces and many authorities in this country? Can he therefore say why no reference has been made to the work of Dr. Bergin?
Mr. WardWe are guided in these matters by the Institute of Aviation Medicine, and it was on their advice that we 1868 adopted Mr. Armstrong's book as our textbook.
§ Mr. BeswickIs it not correct that since then another book has been published by a British author? Has the matter been looked at again since the publication of this book?