HC Deb 20 June 1901 vol 95 cc887-9
MR. C. P. SCOTT (Lancashire, Leigh)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will cause Returns to be published weekly showing the number and the rate of mortality of the white men, women, and children respectively, in each of the concentration camps in South Africa; and, so far as practicable, similar Returns for the native camps.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK, Surrey, Guildford)

I will ask Lord Kitchener to give such information as he can. It will probably be more convenient to give the figures monthly.

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet in a position to state how many deaths of men, women, and children

December, of Prosecutions undertaken in Ireland of Masters of beam or otter trawl vessels for alleged infringement of the bye-laws of the Fishery Board or the provisions of the Acts prohibiting beam or otter trawling within certain waters round the coasts of Ireland, in the following form, with Summary:—

respectively occurred in the concentration camps in Natal, Orange River Colony, and Cape Colony respectively during the months of April and May respectively; what change, if any, has been made in the dietary; and what improvement, if any, has been made in the sanitary arrangements and medical provision for the sick.

MR. BRODRICK

I cannot give the figures separately for April, but I have already given the House the total deaths to the end of April. Those for May are as follows:—Orange River Colony, including Kimberley and Aliwal North, 20 men, 57 women, and 123 children, out of a total of over 25,000 souls. Cape Colony Camp at Port Elizabeth, nil, out of 386 souls. Natal, 3 men, 1 woman, 8 children, out of a total of over 2,500 souls. I have already given information as to the dietary, sanitary arrangements, and medical provision to the House, and all proper attention is being given to these matters.

MR. FLYNN

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there is any intention to improve the dietary and medical arrangements?

MR. BRODRICK

; NO, Sir; the dietary as given up to now has been pronounced sufficient by those in authority in South Africa, including the medical authorities, and it is not proposed to increase it.

MR. LLOYD-GEORGE (Carnarvon Boroughs)

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of a special diet for the very young children?

MR. BRODRICK

As far as possible a special diet is given to young children, but where great numbers are massed together it is not, and will not, always be possible to give fresh milk.