Sir HOWELL DAVIESasked if the communication made by the Secretary of State for War through the public Press on 29th March last, referring to the welfare of young recruits of eighteen years to eighteen years and eight months, is still to be regarded as the settled policy of the War Office; if so, why, since the date referred to, have youths been sent to training camps where serious infectious disease is prevalent; whether, to carry out the spirit of their March communication, the War Office will refrain from sending 2597W any more recruits to such camps until the disease has been eradicated; and what means the War Office medical boards are taking to ascertain what are the causes of the outbreaks of spotted fever, and whether they have found any local conditions which may be assumed as contributory causes?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe policy in the communication to the Press referred to still holds. I am not aware that youths have been sent to camps where serious infectious disease is prevalent, but as my hon. Friend does not give details in his question I am afraid I cannot answer as to the case which he doubtless has in mind. Cases of infection are bound to occur where large bodies of men are collected, but they and the contacts with them are isolated. Cases of spotted fever and suspected cases are dealt with by a special organisation, and every attempt is made to trace the source of origin. I am not aware of any local conditions having been found which can be considered a contributory cause.