§ DR. TANNERI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, (1) whether the hospital accommodation at Malta has been frequently complained of in consequence of certain sanitary defects;(2)whether, as in the last Report a considerable increase in the number of cases for hospital treatment is given, an Inquiry into alleged defects will be made;(3) whether the high ratio of cases invalided, 210.76 per 1,000, can be explained; and (4) what was the entire number of cases under treatment?
§ MR. MACARTNEYNo complaints of the nature stated in paragraph 1 of the Question have been received, but it was decided in 1894 on general grounds that the sanitary arrangements of the hospital did not comply, in all respects, with modern requirements. Various works are being gradually carried out to meet this want, and they will be completed in the ensuing financial year. The increase in the number of cases for hospital treatment is due to the augmentation of the force on the station. It is desirable in the interest of the Service as well as beneficial for the individuals to invalid promptly from Malta to England, in order to faciliate speedy recovery and resumption, of duty. There were 1,448 cases under treatment in 1895. No Inquiry of the kind suggested appears necessary.