§ MR. HANBURY-TRACYasked the President of the Board of Trade, If his attention has been called to the circumstance that on the 9th instant eleven seamen were hoisted helplessly on board the 283 Dreadnought Hospital Ship in a state of utter prostration, from the easily preventive disease of scurvy, whilst others were received the same day suffering in a less degree from the same malady; and, whether steps have been taken to ascertain the number of British seamen suffering in a greater or less degree from scurvy at the home ports, who take refuge in sailors' homes and in lodging houses apart from the seamens' hospitals; and also at the Colonial and Consular ports, in the Indian and Pacific ports?
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEYes, the attention of the Board of Trade has been directed to the case of these seamen, and an inquiry has been ordered into the circumstances. That inquiry is now taking place. I may mention that it has for some time past been the practice of the Board of Trade to direct the shipping masters of the different ports to report to them all cases of seamen landing ill of scurvy. We have, however, no special information as to the number of such seamen who take refuge in sailors' homes or in lodging-houses. In the ports, however, the case is different, and the results of the inquiries that had been made were laid before Parliament last Session. More recent papers relating to the same subject will be shortly laid upon the table. In regard to the Colonial and Consular ports we have not the same means of obtaining information. A correspondence in reference to this matter has been going on with the Indian Government, and the papers will be laid before Parliament. The Government hopes before long to be able to introduce some provisions to meet this very melancholy case, and to apply a stronger control over the causes which seem to render the disease of scurvy so prevalent.