48. Mr. Dugdaleasked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is intended to publish the next edition of "The Health of the Navy"; and if he will make this publication available to hon. Members.
§ Commander NoblePreparation is well advanced, but I cannot give the probable date of publication at present. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as it becomes available.
Mr. DugdaleIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that what are thought to be extracts from this document have been published in the Press, saying that the health of the Navy is not all it should be, and, in particular, that there is a very heavy incidence of tuberculosis? Can he confirm or deny that? It seems to be in the interest of the Navy that that should be known as soon as possible.
§ Commander NobleI am very glad that the hon. Gentleman asked this Question. There is not a lot of tuberculosis in the Navy; in fact the figure is 0.2 per cent. That figure may seem high in comparison with others, owing to the importance which we attach to regular and universal examination.