HC Deb 07 July 1926 vol 197 cc2083-4W
Dr. V. DAVIES

asked the Secretary of State for Air the incidence in the Royal Air Force, at home and abroad, of syphilis and gonorrhœa during the last three years for which statistics are available; and in how many of these cases were preventive measures adopted?

Sir S. HOARE

As regards the first part of the question, the incidence of primary syphilis and gonorrhœa in the Royal Air Force at home and abroad during the last three years for which figures are available was as follows:

Ratio per 1,000 sick daily.
1922. 1923. 1924.
Syphilis 0.36 0.40 0.31
Gonorrœa 2.29 2.17 2.0

As regards the last part of the question, there is no reliable information as to the proportion of cases in which preventive measures were used. I would add that my hon. Friend will find further information concerning venereal diseases in the "Report on the Health of the Royal Air Force," Air Publication 1184, for the year 1924, and the similar volumes dealing with previous years.