asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what was the number of personnel discharged from the Navy suffering from tuberculosis in 1947 and subsequent years; and whether such discharged personnel receive X-ray examinations at the time their medical unfitness for further service is determined.

As the answer to the first part of the Question contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. With regard to the second part of the Question, all who are under treatment for tuberculosis are given progressive X-ray examinations prior to the decision to invalid them.

Would my right hon. Friend say whether naval personnel may at their own request receive an X-ray examination at such time as they suspect that they may be affected by this disease?

They do; they are always examined.

At their own request?

Yes, they could be examined at their own request now.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are men being discharged without an X-ray examination at present who afterwards discover that they are suffering from T.B.? If they make a claim, will he accept liability?

That is quite another question. We should have to consider individual cases.