§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men have been invalided from the Navy since the outbreak of war on account of digestive disorders; and, inasmuch as these disorders are principally caused by dietetic faults, whether he will inquire into the dietary of the Navy with a view to avoiding these results?
Mr. AlexanderI regret that it would not be in the public interest to give the hon. Member the exact figures he asks for, but the number of men finally invalided from the Royal Navy for diseases of the digestive system represents 13.79 per cent. of the total number of men discharged from the Navy on account of all diseases. Other factors besides diet, such as nervous strain and so forth, have to be taken into account in any explanation of these disorders. The naval diet is under constant review and it is not considered necessary to hold a special investigation at the present time.