§ Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many hospitals there are for the treatment of venereal disease for sailors; how many nurses are employed in these hospitals; and how many cases were treated in 1947.
Mr. DugdaleOne small naval auxiliary hospital is devoted solely to the treatment of venereal diseases. In addition treatment can be given at any naval hospital and in the sick bay of nearly every ship. Treatment is carried out by male sick berth attendants. The total number of sick berth ratings employed on this duty varies with requirements. The present number so employed is not readily available; eight are employed at the special hospital. Returns so far received show that approximately 5,000 cases were treated last year; 435 of these were treated at the special hospital.