§ MR. C. DUNCAN (Barrow in-Furness)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Belfast Steam Shipping Company have a number of imported labourers living on a vessel in the harbour; whether he is aware that a number of such labourers are reported to be seriously ill, and that several have already been removed to Belfast Hospital: and what steps are proposed to be taken to ensure that this menace to the health of the city is abated.
I beg also to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will take steps to see that the medical officer of health for the city of Belfast is informed that several cases of fever have occurred amongst the imported labourers at present on board a vessel in Belfast Harbour; and whether he will take such action as to ensure that the medical officer of health carries out his duties in an efficient and impartial manner regardless of the interests of shipping and other companies.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BIRRELL, Bristol, N.)I will answer the hon. Member's two Questions together. The Local Government Board have had a special investigation made by one of their medical inspectors. About 150 imported labourers are living in a steamship in Belfast Harbour. Two men have had to be removed to hospital for surgical treatment in consequence of accidents, but no case of infectious disease has occurred, and none of the men have been seriously ill. The medical officer acting for the port sanitary authority visits the ship daily, and both the public health authority of the city and the port sanitary authority are fully alive to the 626 necessity of exercising a strict super vision over the vessel. The Local Government Board's medical inspector found the ship to be very clean. The total number living on board, including crew, is 215. The ship is licensed by the Board of Trade for 356. The Local Government Board are satisfied that the facts of the case do not constitute a menace to the public health of the city, and that no circumstance calling for their intervention has arisen.
§ MR. SLOANIs there any foundation for the imputation on the medical officer contained in the second Question?
§ MR. BIRRELLI have no reason to believe he is open to any imputation whatever.
CAPTAIN CRAIGHave not the Belfast Steamship Company taken every possible precaution on behalf of the workmen?
§ MR. BIRRELLI am only concerned with the medical officer and port authority, and; I am satisfied that they have done their duty.