HC Deb 01 May 1882 vol 268 cc1816-7
Mr. A. MOORE

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been called to the Reuter's telegram from New York, which states that— The surgeon of the steamship—, which has arrived here from—, reports that the steerage passengers brought by her were, at the time they embarked, in a very weak state from want of food. Seven of them died on the passage; whether it is really a fact that they were in an exhausted state at the time of their embarkation; and, if so, how they came to be passed by the medical officer at the port of clearance; and, if this statement be not correct, whether he will order a searching inquiry into their treatment on the voyage?

MR. CHAMBERLAIN

My attention has been called to the telegram referred to. I have made inquiries. A telegram has now been received from New York, which corroborates the statement that seven persons died on the voyage out; but these deaths do not seem to have been connected with the alleged want of food. One woman died in childbirth; one man died of consumption; three children died from diarrhœa (one of them a cabin passenger), and one from marasmus, and another from worms. Two of the children were under one year old, and two others under four years old. Of the remaining 903 passengers, all are reported as arriving in good health, and as having made no complaints. The Sanitary Inspector and the Emigration Officer report that they made a careful inspection of the emigrants before starting, and that the passengers were not in an exhausted condition. The passengers, the ship, and the food were inspected before the ship left. There were no cases of infectious disease found among the emigrants, the accommodation was found to be good, and in accordance with the statutory enactment bearing upon it, and the food, which was sufficient for 32 days', was found to be good. The passage lasted 12 days. If the hon. Member will give particulars of any special point on which he thinks inquiry ought to be made, I will consider it; but, as at present advised, I cannot see anything calling for further inquiry.