HC Deb 18 February 1915 vol 69 cc1290-1
21. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has had any recent report on the health of the naval troops at the Crystal Palace; and whether there have been any deaths from meningitis?

26. Mr. RONALD M'NEILL

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men of the Naval Division are in training at the Crystal Palace; how many medical men are there available for attendance upon them; and how many cases there are among the men there in training?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)

There are at present 6,578 officers and men victualled at the Crystal Palace. Fourteen medical officers are attached. There were on Tuesday 184 men on the sick list. As regards cerebro-spinal meningitis, there have been fifteen cases up to date, the first case occurring on 16th January. I regret to say that eight of the cases have proved fatal. Every declared case has, of course, been transferred to an infectious hospital, and contacts have been removed for purposes of observation to another naval hospital, where, of course, they are carefully isolated. A special medical officer with expert knowledge of the disease has been appointed to the division at the Palace, to devote himself solely to dealing with the matter. Further, a special bacteriologist has been attached for the purpose of elucidating the origin of the disease in this case. Apart from cerebro-spinal cases, the general health at the Palace is very good. The average number on the sick list is about 2 per cent.

Mr. FALLE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if the huts in which the men had lived were burnt or merely disinfected?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I do not think it applies to the Colonial buildings attached; but we have taken every precaution.

Mr. HOGGE

In view of the fact that since this outbreak there are also certain civilian cases outside the Palace, can my right hon. Friend say whether he can take steps until the disease has been combated to prevent general leave among the men in the district?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I was not aware of any civilian cases, but the suggestion that the men should be confined is one that I think may very well be considered.