§ Mr. HOUSTONasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he can give the number of men suffering from enthetic (venereal) diseases in the British Army at home and abroad as shown by his latest Return and the date of that Return; and (2) whether he can state the number of men reported temporarily unfit for duty or service in the British Army at home and abroad by reason of enthetic (venereal) diseases as shown in his latest Return and the date thereof?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe admissions to hospitals at home from the cause in question represent a ratio of 48 cases per 1,000 men per annum, which is slightly less than the ratio in peace time. No figures are available for the troops abroad.
§ Mr. HOUSTONasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he can state the number of men permanently invalided and discharged out of the Army owing to enthetic (venereal) diseases, but temporarily cured of the same, during the years 1914, 1915, and 1916 up to his latest Return and the date thereof; and (2) whether he can state the number of men suffering from enthetic (venereal) diseases who have been discharged uncured from the Army at home and abroad during the years 1914, 1915, and 1916, and permitted to return to their homes?
§ Mr. FORSTERI regret that there are no statistics available. It would take much time to compile them, and I hope my hon. Friend will not press me to put this additional work on a heavily strained Department. I would remind the hon. Member that no men are discharged from the Army for these diseases in the infectious stage.