§ 22. Captain DOUGLAS HALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the outbreak 908 of cerebral meningitis at the jam factory, Coley, near Reading, at present occupied by the School of Technical Training, Royal Flying Corps; if several men there have died of this complaint; if the other men were allowed to be in contact with possible infection without the slightest precaution being taken; if he is aware that at the coroner's inquest, held on 23rd February on one of the victims, it was ascertained that the man who died was ill twenty-four hours before a doctor was summoned, and that the jury and two doctors agreed that medical aid ought to have been obtained sooner; if his attention has been drawn to the character of the answers given by the military authorities to questions asked them by the jury; if his attention has been drawn to the, verdict of the coroner's jury at the inquiry held and to the remarks they added; if any inquiry has been instituted by the War Office: and, if so, what conclusion they have arrived at and what action it is proposed to take?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONInquiries are being made, and my hon. and gallant Friend will be informed of the result.
§ Captain HALLWill the hon. Gentleman say when this outbreak occurred, and why inquiries have not been concluded before now?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONInquiries are being made, and I will communicate the facts as soon as possible.
§ Captain HALLHow many persons who suffered from this fever have died?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI can only tell my hon. and gallant Friend that I have caused inquiries to be made, and as soon as I have received the full facts I will communicate them to the House.
§ Captain HALLOnly now?