HC Deb 04 June 1877 vol 234 cc1234-5
MR. LYON PLAYFAIR

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, in the absence of the First Lord, Whether, having received a Report, of date 3rd March, from the Admiralty Committee on Scurvy to the effect that the early outbreak of scurvy in the spring sledging parties of the late Arctic Expedition was due to the absence of lime juice from their provisions, and further that in not including lime juice the officer in command of the Expedition deviated front the Memorandum of Recommendations and Suggestions of the Medical Director General furnished to Sir George Nares by the Admiralty for his information, and that such deviation was not proper, he has taken any steps in respect to this Report with a view to prevent similar calamities on future occasions ?

MR. A. F. EGERTON

As there is no intention at present to fit out any Arctic Expedition, it is unnecessary to take any immediate steps as to the issue of lime juice, in consequence of the Report of the Committee to which the right hon. Gentleman refers. Should, however, at any future time a similar Expedition be sent out, the experience of the last one will doubtless not be lost upon the Admiralty. I may add that directions have been given for a communication to Sir George Nares upon the subject of the Report, which will be laid upon the Table.

MR. LYON PLAYFAIR

In consequence of the Answer to my Question, which was not confined to Arctic Expeditions, I shall call attention to the Report on the Motion for going into Committee of Supply.