THE EARL OF MAYOMy Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government whether, without giving particulars prejudicial to the force, they can give information as to the casualties (1) from disease, and (2) from wounds suffered in the Chinese Expeditionary Force.
THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (THE EARL OF ONSLOW)My Lords, I will give the figures as to casualties divided under three heads—the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. I take it that is what the noble Earl wishes. In the Army the casualties from accidents, etc., are: 6 British other ranks died, 4 British officers injured and 2 British other ranks injured. From disease: 1 British officer, 27 British other ranks and 1 Indian other rank died. Then as to wounds, 1 British other rank and 1 Indian other rank died of wounds. The number wounded not fatally were: 2 British officers, 9 British other ranks and 2 Indian other ranks. In the Air Force there has been no casualty as the result of enemy action, but 1 officer and 3 airmen died as the result of accidents, etc., and 3 officers were injured as the result of accidents. In the Navy there were no casualties in action, and from available records it has not been possible to distinguish between casualties from disease which may have occurred as the result of service in China and those which may have been expected under normal conditions. With regard to the Twelfth Royal Marine Battalion, there were no casualties in action and no deaths.
§ House adjourned at five minutes past seven o'clock.