HC Deb 06 August 1883 vol 282 c1622
SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether any illness has recently been prevalent among the cadets on beard the "Britannia;" whether such illness has been attributed to the inferior quality of the food supplied them; and, whether he can state what system was pursued to inspect the provisions supplied to the cadets on that vessel?

MR. CAMPBELL - BANNERMAN

Sir, during the six months ending on the 30th of June, the cases of illness among the cadets on beard the Britannia were none of them of a serious character, more than half being common colds and sore throats. No case of illness was attributable to the food supplied to the cadets, which is of the best quality. As to the method pursued for the inspection of provisions, the food is inspected daily by a lieutenant, who is the "officer of the day," and it is tasted by him frequently. He inspects the meat each day as it arrives on beard, and he is present during the dinner time and at the beginning of breakfast and tea, and is always ready to receive any complaints.