§ SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOT (Sussex, N.W.)asked, Whether the attention of the Secretary of State for War had been called to the death of Captain Francis Lovell Speid, of the Black Watch, Royal Highlanders, of typhoid fever contracted in Dublin Barracks; and what steps, if any, had been taken to improve the sanitary condition of the barracks; and, also, whether the barracks were still fully occupied by the troops, especially Palatine Square?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)Yes, Sir. I am aware of the unfortunate death of the officer referred to, and nobody can regret more than I do the necessity of retaining troops in the Royal Barracks. I explained, in the answer I gave on the 20th of November, that nearly all the recommendations of the Commission under Sir Charles Cameron have been carried out. The following further works are nearly completed:—Drainage of the sub-soil to cut off all sub-soil water from Arbour Hill; demolition of buildings in and at the ends of the lanes on each side of Royal Square. I have no Returns of occupation later than the 1st of November. From those it would appear that the barracks were about four-fifths full. I may add that I have requested the engineer, who is examining the barracks on behalf of the Government, to make an interim Report; and if he can make any suggestions for the improvement of the barracks they will be carried out at once.