§ LORD EUSTACE CECILasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he will ascertain if it is true that the Auxiliary Hospital on Quarantine Island at Suakin stands on an old burial ground, and that great sickness prevails there just now in consequence of the un-healthiness of the situation; and, if so, whether he will at once take steps to have it removed to a more suitable position?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONThere is a hospital on Quarantine Island. The site has been selected by the authorities on the spot; but when it was first suggested I had doubts as to the salubrity of an island which had contained a burial ground. I therefore telegraphed an inquiry to Suakin, and received in reply a telegram, to the effect that the position on the island was most healthy. For six years scarcely an interment has taken place on the island; and it does not appear from the Reports received that, as compared with the rest of the station, the island is exceptionally unhealthy.
§ LORD EUSTACE CECILasked, if it was not true that great sickness prevailed there recently, and that it was increasing?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON,in reply, said, no. The last medical Report received showed that there was not an exceptional amount of sickness. He thought the sick rate was from 4 to 7 per cent; but, no doubt, owing to the heat of the weather, the sickness had been increasing. From the Reports he had received he had no reason to think that sickness was exceptional. He was constantly making inquiries on the subject.