§ Mr. COOPERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been directed to a report and statistics published by Dr. Braddon, State surgeon of Negri Sembilan, in the Federated Malay States, supporting the theory that bere beri is caused by uncured stale white rice being used as food; and whether he will consider the advisability of requiring that only cured rice shall be used for the food of lascars on British ships?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am aware of the theory held by Dr. Braddon and other medical men that beri beri is attributable to the consumption of uncured stale white rice; and of the investigations into the question which are being conducted in the Federated Malay States. The Board of Trade are in communication with the Royal College of Physicians in regard to the steps to be taken for the prevention of the disease on board ship, and when their views have been received the suggestion made by my hon. Friend in the latter part of his question will be considered.