§ MR. NORRIS (Tower Hamlets, Limehouse)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he can state the number of deaths in all ranks which have occurred in the barracks at Dublin during the past year, and what proportion of them is supposed to be attributable to the insanitary conditions existing there; if he will also state what measures have been taken since April 18th last, in order to remedy the insanitary conditions then admitted to exist in those barracks; if the barracks at Dover are now in a satisfactory condition; and, if he will cause immediate and searching inquiry to be made as to every case of typhoid fever that may occur in these and in all other barracks?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)39 deaths occured in all the Dublin barracks during the year 1887 among the warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the garrison. No officer died during that period. It is impossible to say how many of these deaths were attributable to causes intrinsic to the barracks. Four were due to enteric disease and eight to pneumonia. In consequence of the prevalence of enteric fever in the Royal Barracks, I called upon Sir Charles Cameron, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dublin, and Dr. Grimshaw, Registrar General of Ireland—both quite unconnected with the Army—to make a minute inspection of the barracks, and to report on the causes of the continued unhealthiness and on the possible remedies. Previously to their Report, and since April 18, numerous small sanitary services were carried out in the barracks. But their Report was received towards the end of last year, and contained no less than 14 recommendations, which, it is difficult to describe in detail. Under many of the heads the requisite measures have been taken, or are in hand. But there are two of grave importance as to which no final action has yet been taken. One is the erection of a new hospital for the isolation of infectious cases. We are trying to set aside another hospital for this purpose. The other is the demolition of a large portion of the barracks, 155 on the ground that some of the old buildings are too much crowded together. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to provide other accommodation in Dublin at this time of the year for the troops, who would thereby be turned out of the Royal Barracks, and the new barracks now being commenced cannot be ready for some time. We are, however, trying to make such arrangements as will enable the most unhealthy part of the Royal Barracks to be vacated as soon as possible. I can assure the House that we are keenly alive to the importance of preventing any recurrence of these cases, and I shall not hesitate to take whatever steps may be necessary to accomplish this object. As regards Dover, I caused an inspection to be made by an Inspector of the Local Government Board. A considerable expenditure has been incurred in carrying out his recommendations, and the sanitary condition of these barracks is believed to be satisfactory.