asked the Secretary of State for War what has been the incidence of venereal disease among National Service men in home commands and in the British Army of the Rhine, respectively, for any recent convenient period.

The incidence of venereal disease among National Service men (namely, those called up on or after 1st January, 1947) in B.A.O.R. during 1948 and the first quarter of 1949 was as follows:

Quarterly rates per 100 strength
			1948	1949
1st quarter	…	…	.9	.7
2nd quarter	…	…	1.2
3rd quarter	…	…	1.0
4th quarter	…	…	.9

These figures are derived from a special return and are subject to a small margin of error. Comparable figures for National Service men in home commands are not available.