§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the inadequacy of the statistics kept in previous years and now as to the numbers of lives of Service personnel lost by drowning during training operations and otherwise, he will collect and publish figures showing how many of such personnel can and cannot swim, respectively; and if he will also take steps to increase the proportion of swimmers in the Services.
§ Mr. StracheyThe importance in modern conditions of soldiers being able to swim is fully recognised, and I do not consider that the collection of the statistics proposed would serve any useful purpose. With regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply my hon. Friend gave him on 23rd May.