HC Deb 21 March 1878 vol 238 cc1742-3
SIR GEORGE DOUGLAS

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been called to the bad quality of the water, supplied to the troops quartered at Fort George, which has been reported as unfit for use as long ago as March 1875, and again in April 1877, when the officer commanding the Brigade Depot, stated "the water system is very bad and requires instant attention;" whether, in October last, the medical officer, in charge of the troops, did not report that the water was getting worse and worse every day, and was likely to prove dangerous to the health of the troops: whether it is true that no steps were taken to procure a fresh supply of water until, on the lst of November last, two men died of typhoid fever, attributed by the medical officer to the bad state of the water supply, since which water has been carted to the fort; and, if he in-tendsrecommendingany immediate steps to be taken to procure a proper permanent supply of water for the troops, and so prevent a recurrence of this unnecessary danger to the health of the soldiers stationed there?

LORD EUSTACE CECIL

Sir, the condition of the water supply at Fort George has not escaped the attention of the Secretary of State for War. Up to August, 1875, the supply of water was reported as good and sufficient, and no complaint was made regarding it. In that month, however, it was found to be contaminated with sewage. There is no trace of a medical report of October, 1877, stating that the water was getting worse, and was likely to prove dangerous. It is hardly correct to say that no steps were taken to procure a fresh supply of water prior to November last; for, in 1875, a new well was sunk, but with no better result as regards the quality of the water. The old wells have been deepened and cleaned out, and the result of recent analysis shows that the water from some of the wells after filtration is fit for use. Towards the end of October, 1877, two recruits of the Militia were attacked with enteric fever and died; but the origin of the disease was by no means clearly traced to the bad quality of the water, and no cases occurred among the troops permanently quartered in the fort. Since this time, however, water has been carted to the fort, and this method of supply is still in force. Every endeavour has been made to obtain a good supply of water, and the matter is at this moment engaging the attention of the Royal Engineers.