SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derbyshire, Ilkeston)To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any official report as to an outbreak of plague in the coolie location at Johannesburg; and, if so, whether he can state the number of cases and the number of deaths up to 19th March, among the coolies, Kaffirs, and whites.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) The latest telegrams from Lord Milner on this subject are as follows:—20th March. No. 1—"Bubonic plague has broken out in the coolie location here. It is a virulent outbreak, thirty deaths having occurred out of thirty-eight cases within a few days. Though the nature of the disease was only recognised yesterday, steps have been already taken to remove all patients to a special camp to the north of the town. Owing to the fact that the possibility of outbreak has been foreseen for some time, the site of the camp was already chosen and necessary arrangements made, while tents are ready and will be erected immediately.
* Exclusive of all police expenditure.† Inclusive of reserve and district police.
§ (Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) Expenditure on Military and Naval Purposes of the self-governing Colonies (exclusive of special South African War Expenditure):—
§
There will be thus no difficulty about isolation and proper treatment of all suspect cases. Outbreak confined to coolie location, which forms part of insanitary area recently expropriated by municipality. Town council is thus in position to clear the location at once, to transfer the coolies to a new site outside the town, and to disinfect the whole space. It has all necessary legislative powers, and administrative arrangements have as far as possible anticipated the need which has arisen. There is thus every reason to hope spread of disease may be promptly checked. Mining area so far quite unaffected." 22nd March. No. 2—"Your telegrams of 21st March, No. 2 and No. 3. Present position of plague is as follows: suspected cases reported, 47 coloured, 6 white; deaths, 40 coloured, 2 white. Outbreak appears to be well in hand, and I do not think it necessary to engage services of Professor Simpson, especially as I have a first rate bacteriologist and excellent medical staff on the spot and the public here have complete confidence in them."
‡ Inclusive of expenses of Halifax Provisional Garrison.