§ Sir A. SHIRLEY BENNasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the rules and principles governing the assessment of attributability in tuberculosis cases in the Royal Navy have been investigated; and, if so, what decision has been reached by the Board of Admiralty?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe Board of Admiralty have made the most careful and exhaustive inquiry into the incidence of tuberculosis in the Navy with particular reference to the question whether, in the matter of pension awards following invaliding for this disease, there is adequate recognition of causes peculiar to the conditions of naval service afloat to which tuberculosis might be regarded as attributable. As a result of this investigation they have come to the conclusion that, although the rules and principles governing the assessment of attributability in tuberculosis cases have in the past been correctly formulated, there are grounds justifying more generous treatment in many of these very distressing cases, and they have decided that in respect of invalidings as from 1st October last there should be such a modification of these rules and principles as will very considerably reduce the percentage of cases in which "non-attributable" awards only can be regarded as appropriate. These arrangements are, of course, without prejudice to the consideration of any recommendations which may be embodied in the Report on this question1130W which is expected shortly from the Joint Medical Services Committee.