§ MR. HERBERT KNATCHBULL-HUGESSEN (Kent, Faversham)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is a fact that the sufferers in the recent accident to the Barracouta were first landed at Sheerness, and from thence sent to Chatham, although there are plenty of doctors and ample hospital accommodation at Sheerness; and whether this is the common practice in case of accidents at Sheerness; and, if so, whether he will at once take steps to prevent such unnecessary suffering?
§ * THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingOne man, in too critical a condition to bear removal to Chatham, was 1517 admitted into the Infirmary of the Naval Barracks at Sheerness. The other nine men were not landed at Sheerness; but, after being fully attended to and their injuries properly dressed, were conveyed to Chatham Hospital by special steamer under the immediate care of two medical officers. It is not customary to send Naval patients to the Military Hospital at Sheerness, as it only contains 36 beds, and there were only 11 vacant on the day of the accident to meet the Army requirements. In the case of accidents occurring in the Dockyard at Sheerness, it is usual in the first instance to send patients to the Naval Barracks Infirmary; but in the case of accidents on board ship the patients are sent to Chatham Hospital when their condition permits removal.