HC Deb 23 June 1913 vol 54 cc800-1
Mr. JAMES HOGGE

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can confirm the rumour about the epidemic in St. Kilda; what steps have been taken to help the inhabitants, and whether he has any further information to give the House?

The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. McKinnon Wood)

On Friday afternoon I received information through the Admiralty, and also from The MacLeod of MacLeod, the owner of the island, to the effect that a trawler reported in Harris that there had been a serious outbreak of influenza or pneumonia in St. Kilda, and that assistance was urgently needed. I at once communicated with the Admiralty, who, at my request, were good enough to arrange for the dispatch of His Majesty's ship "Active," from Lamlash, to visit the island, and report. The "Active" reached St. Kilda on Saturday afternoon and reported that the islanders were suffering from an epidemic of influenza, which had attacked seventy-three out of the seventy-nine inhabitants, out of whom twenty-eight were convalescent. The commander of the "Active" took all steps in his power to render immediate medical assistance. Meanwhile, I had instructed the Local Government Board for Scotland to be prepared, in case of need, to send to St. Kilda a doctor, nurses and medical stores, and on receipt of the report from the "Active," the Admiralty, at my request, sent instructions for the cruiser to leave her doctor at St. Kilda, to proceed to Oban, and there to pick up the relief party. Dr. Dittmar, medical inspector under the Local Government Board and two nurses, with the necessary medical stores, accordingly left Edinburgh early yesterday morning, joined the "Active" at Oban yesterday afternoon, and arrived at St. Kilda late last night.

Mr. HOGGE

In view of this second calamity to the island, will the right hon. Gentleman take immediate steps to try and see that a wireless installation is really set up in the immediate future?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I understand that the) Post Office are dealing with that question. There is hope of a Wireless installation very soon.

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

Through what agency did the news reach the right hon. Gentleman?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I stated that in answering the question. I heard it first from the Admiralty, and also by a private telegram.