HC Deb 28 March 1905 vol 143 cc1363-4
SIR JOHN COLOMB (Great Yarmouth)

I beg to ask the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether His Majesty's ships at Malta were formerly supplied with drinking water from the Valetta town reservoir via the naval tank at Corradino, and are not now so supplied; and, if so, when was the change made, and why. † See page 1205.

*THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. PRETYMAN, Suffolk, Wood-bridge)

No alteration has been made in the method of supplying His Majesty's ships with water for several years past. The water is obtained from the aqueduct mains belonging to the Civil Government, supplemented by the rainfall on the Admiralty catchment areas which partially feed the Corradino tank.

SIR JOHN COLOMB

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, during the year 1904, there were many cases of typhoid in His Majesty's ships resorting to Malta Harbour.

*MR. PRETYMAN

During the year 1904, forty-six cases of enteric (typhoid) fever were admitted into Malta Hospital.

SIR JOHN COLOMB

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty how many cases of typhoid occurred during 1904 in His Majesty's ships "Venerable," "Montagu," and "Arrogant," respectively; and how many cases ended fatally.

*MR. PRETYMAN

In H.M.S. "Venerable" there were seventeen cases of typhoid fever, four ending fatally; in H.M.S. "Montagu," six cases and one death; in H.M.S. "Arrogant," four cases and one death. As these Questions and Answers might be liable to cause misapprehension, I think it desirable to add that the outbreaks of typhoid in these ships were not due to the Malta water supply. The disease was contracted during the visits of the ships to other Mediterranean ports.

SIR JOHN COLOMB

Then it is not correct that the supply from Valetta ceased in 1893?

*MR. PRETYMAN

No, Sir.

DR. HUTCHINSON (Sussex, Rye)

What precautions have been taken to prevent this occurring again?

*MR. PRETYMAN

I have said the outbreak did not arise from the water supply

DR. HUTCHINSON

But it was due to some water supply.