HC Deb 09 July 1883 vol 281 cc776-7
MR. O'DONNELL

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the deaths from cholera at Bombay during the last fortnight of May numbered 25; whether it is true that, as the "Bombay Gazette" of the 5th June states— There is a good deal of cholera still in the districts, there being in the Thana and Poona collectorates alone nearly 500 deaths in one week; whether in the last week of May there were 118 deaths from cholera in Calcutta alone; whether these facts were made known by Her Majesty's Government to the Egyptian Board of Health; and, whether it was represented by Her Majesty's Government that the quarantine regulations might be safely removed or relaxed in the case of vessels from India arriving at Egyptian ports?

MR. J. K. CROSS

Sir, the figures given by the hon. Member regarding cholera in certain places in India are generally correct; but I may say that cholera has been little, if at all, more prevalent in Indian ports during the last six months than it usually is. In Calcutta the deaths in April were 459, against 318 in April, 1882; in May they were 383, against 380 in 1882; and in June 150, against 254. The health statement of Indian ports is always telegraphed fortnightly for communication to the Sanitary Boards in the Levant; and the cholera deaths in Bombay are telegraphed weekly to the Consul General at Cairo. Her Majesty's Government have objected to the imposition of special measures of quarantine against arrivals from India with clean bills of health, and having no suspicious cases on board after a voyage of 10 days.

MR. O'DONNELL

asked whether it was true that at a meeting of the Alexandria Board of Health the English delegate protested against immediate action being taken in reference to vessels arriving from India; and whether it was true, as stated in the Egyptian official journal, that a passenger landed at Port Said on the 18th of June and proceeded to Damietta a few days before the outbreak of cholera in that town?

MR. J. K. CROSS

Perhaps the hon. Member will give Notice of that Question to the noble Lord the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.