HC Deb 31 July 1883 vol 282 cc1141-2
MR. O'DONNELL

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether his attention has been called to the statement of the Cairo Correspondent of the "Daily News" to-day— That he had been able to ascertain that, on July 24th, 1,200 deaths took place, whereas the official lists gave only 463; whether no deaths are officially reported from towns or villages under 2,000 inhabitants; and, if any steps can be taken to obtain correct returns of the mortality?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

Sir, my attention has been called to the statement referred to by the hon. Member, and I have already stated in the House that deaths no doubt take place which are unrecorded; but it is impossible, as I have already said, to test the accuracy of the statements which appear in the newspapers from day to day with regard to particular localities. The daily reports received are believed to include all deaths, wherever occurring, and there appears no means of obtaining any Returns more correct than those supplied by the competent Department of the Egyptian Government. The present is not a favourable opportunity for attempting to reform the Statistical Department of the Egyptian Government, which is responsible for these Returns. The subject of that Department is mentioned in the despatches presented to Parliament.

MR. O'DONNELL

asked if they were to understand that the deaths from cholera in Egypt might, in reality, be three times greater than the number given in the official records?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE,

in reply, said, he could not commit him- self to any numercial statement of that kind. All he wished the House to understand was, that he did not wish them to believe that implicit faith was placed on every figure which was published.