§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that James M'Donald, an able seaman, was put on shore on Saturday, 10th August, at Palmouth, from the British sailing ship "Colony," suffering with scurvy, that M'Donald is now lying ill in Greenwich Hospital, and that during the passage home the crew of this vessel were supplied with short allowance of provisions; whether he will cause inquiries to be made at once with regard to this matter, and instruct the superintendent before whom the crew may be discharged to take a statement from each man respecting the provisions with which they have been supplied during the voyage, and whether the Board of 1156 Trade have power to prosecute shipowners who, in consequence of not supplying crews with proper allowance of good wholesome food, endanger the health of the men.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI have ascertained that, on the arrival of the "Colony" at Falmouth it was found that the seaman referred to in the question was suffering from a bad leg and thigh, being the only sick man on board. He was at once seen by the port medical officer, and by the owner's instructions was paid off at Falmouth instead of being taken on to Hamburg. I have at present no evidence that he was suffering from scurvy. The master reports that lime juice was regularly issued, and the owner states that ample provisions (including fresh meat and vegetables) were supplied. No complaint was made to the officials at Falmouth by any one of the crew, but further inquiry will be made at Hamburg. The Merchant'Shipping Act lays down regulations with regard to seamen's food, medicines, anti-scorbutics, etc., and provides penalties for infringement.