§ MR. NORTON (Kent, Tunbridge)asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If his attention has been called to the following extract from the Statistical Report of the Health of the Navy for the year 1885, lately presented to Parliament:—
The water supply to the ships at Malta had, in the usual routine, been frequently tested and found to be fairly chemically pure; but, in the light of the investigation now carried out, it was discovered that one of the Naval tanks, that, in fact, from which the water was at the time being taken for the ships, had not been cleaned out, it is stated, for a number of years; and the water, on being examined by the Government analyst, was found to contain a large amount of albuminoid ammonia, and pronounced unfit for drinking" (page 47);and, who is responsible for this negligence, and what steps have been taken to prevent its recurrence?
§ THE SECRETARY (Mr. FORWOOD) (Lancashire, Ormskirk), in reply, said he had looked at the Report referred to by the hon. Gentleman, and considered the matter one of importance, requiring fuller investigation both at Malta and at home.