§ 34. Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on the 6th February Harry Firth, of Norwich, died at Dartmoor Prison Hospital; that when he went to Dartmoor he was in an enfeebled condition, but set to work in a quarry, punished for not working hard, and only sent to hospital when past recovery; and whether an independent inquiry of persons not officials of the Home Office will be held into this and other recent deaths?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Firth was sent to Dartmoor for work under the Committee at his own request, and before leaving Maidstone he was passed by the medical officer as fit for labour. He was put on light work in the quarry, and was at no time punished for not working hard or for any other offence. Symptoms of diabetes afterwards 261 appeared, and he was immediately admitted to hospital, where he remained until his death. An independent inquiry has already been held by the coroner, and the jury returned a verdict of "Death from natural causes," expressing themselves satisfied with the treatment of the deceased by the doctors who had charge of the case. I may add that, although an average of upwards of a thousand men have been employed at Dartmoor for upwards of ten months, this is the first death which has occurred in that institution.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that cases of diabetes in young men, as this was, are always incurable, and that the rapid and progressive character of the disease, which is generally to be expected, is accelerated by exposure or hard work?
§ Sir G. CAVEI am not an expert, but the important fact is that the moment diabetes is diagnosed it is properly treated.
§ Mr. KINGCan the right hon. Gentleman really give an assurance that as soon as diabetes is diagnosed it is sent to hospital?
§ Sir G. CAVEYes.