HC Deb 25 July 1889 vol 338 cc1263-5
MR. HANBURY

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the following extract from the letter of an officer, stationed at the Royal Barracks, Dublin, is in accordance with fact— The fever here is daily increasing, men going to hospital daily at all times during the day. The barracks are fearfully unhealthy, and the sooner we clear out the better. At the infirmary large tents are being erected for the sick, the building being full. Whether, if so, whatever the local cause of this may be, he will at once remove the troops from such unhealthy quarters, and not replace them until the cause of disease is removed; and, whether, as is reported, it is the intention of the War Office to increase, instead of decrease, the number of troops in Dublin.

MR. A. L. BROWN (Hawick)

Will the right hon. Gentleman also say whether the facts connected with Richmond Barracks, Dublin, have been brought under his notice, and if it will not be found impracticable to patch up the existing system of drainage. Would not the best course be to put the men under canvas so that the whole drainage may be made perfect?

* MR. E. STANHOPE

I do not think from the information in my possession that it is correct to say that the fever at the Royal Barracks, Dublin, is daily increasing. But it is true, I regret to say, that there has been in the last fortnight a new outbreak of enteric fever in the Royal Barracks. Orders have accordingly been given that the barracks are to be temporarily evacuated and the troops placed under canvas. I may add that Royal Square, where apparently almost all the recent cases have occurred, would in any case have been evacuated almost immediately, as it is intended for the future to use it for stores only and not as a barrack.

MR. WOODALL (Hanley)

Has any material progress been made in the reconstruction of barracks which are in an insanitary condition?

* MR. E. STANHOPE

It is hardly fair to expect me to give the information in answer to a question. I shall be glad to give it on the Vote in Committee of Supply, and to avail myself of the opportunity to remove several misconceptions. Mr. Roger Stevens was appointed by me to make an inquiry into the sanitary condition of the whole of the Richmond Barracks, and I have received his Report. A good many of his suggestions have been already carried out, but others I have not yet had time to consider in full detail. One great difficulty in connection with the Richmond Barracks is that there is no outfall, and until the Local Authority provides an outfall it is exceedingly difficult to do what is required.

MR. A. O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in pursuance of the promise which was given when the Estimates were under discussion, he has caused an inquiry to be made in reference to the character of the water supply of these two barracks, and whether the Report of Mr. Roger Stevens is satisfactory?

* MR. E. STANHOPE

I am sorry that the hon. and learned Gentleman did not give me notice of the question. I believe that the water supply of the Royal Barracks is satisfactory, but I have no information in regard to Richmond Barracks.