Venereal Disease

Oral Answers to Questions — Germany – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 2 Ebrill 1947.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Reginald Sorensen Mr Reginald Sorensen , Leyton West 12:00, 2 Ebrill 1947

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in view of the fact that less than 10 per cent. of the 6,879 women in Greater Berlin who were compulsorily examined were found to be suffering from venereal disease, why the same compulsory powers are not exercised respecting the German and other male population, in view of their equal liability to spread this disease.

Photo of Mr John Hynd Mr John Hynd , Sheffield, Attercliffe

Under the German regulations German males as well as females are already subject to compulsory examination.

Photo of Mr Reginald Sorensen Mr Reginald Sorensen , Leyton West

In view of the fact that, apparently, the incidence of this disease is so drastic and so sinister that ten times as many women have to be compulsorily examined as have actually been subject to the disease, why is it that the same regulations should not apply to other than the Germans?

Photo of Mr John Hynd Mr John Hynd , Sheffield, Attercliffe

The regulations in question are laid down by the German Berlin authorities, and therefore apply to Germans, and to those displaced persons and others who come within the German law. The Allied personnel in Berlin and other parts of the country are covered by the regulations under which they operate.

Photo of Mr Reginald Sorensen Mr Reginald Sorensen , Leyton West

Is it not true that the original prewar regulations have been extended under the Occupying Power, and is there any reason at all why, if these regulations are necessary, similar regulations do not apply to British personnel?

Photo of Mr John Hynd Mr John Hynd , Sheffield, Attercliffe

I would not like to say that we would necessarily be prepared to adopt the same conditions as have been considered necessary by the German authorities. The conditions as compared with prewar are somewhat different in Berlin. The German authorities have taken such steps as they consider necessary, and of course there are special regulations applying to our own Armed Forces and to others.

Photo of Mr Reginald Sorensen Mr Reginald Sorensen , Leyton West

But cannot British personnel infect and be infected as much as Germans?

Photo of Mr John Hynd Mr John Hynd , Sheffield, Attercliffe

Yes, but they come under the regulations applying to them, as in the case of the Army.