HC Deb 15 July 1897 vol 51 cc154-5
CAPTAIN NORTON

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, in reference to the recent outbreak of diphtheria at Devonport, by which two lives were lost, any sanitary recommendations had been made, and, if so, how far hack, by the Army Medical Department or Royal. Engineers respecting defects in the drainage of the Raglan Barracks; and, if recommendations were made, what were the circumstances that prevented the War Office from carrying them out?

MR. BRODRICK

In April 1896, the medical officer at Devonport reported that the drains of the Raglan Barracks were in an unsatisfactory state. Inquiry was made with the result that the general officer commanding submitted a comprehensive scheme involving a large cost. This had to be examined before the work could be undertaken. Money is taken in this year's Estimates, and every effort will be made to press on the work as quickly as possible.