§ 21. Major MACKENZIE WOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the steamship "Dufferin," which sailed recently from Southampton to Bombay, was in an insanitary and crowded condition; whether a serious outbreak of illness, affecting 500 persons, occurred on board; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Fisher)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The ship was thoroughly disinfected by the Clayton process before sailing, and the passengers were berthed on the lines adopted on passenger steamers sailing to India. In view of the shortage it is not possible to give passengers as much space as in normal conditions. I understand that a certain amount of sickness occurred during the latter part of the voyage. There is no reason for thinking that the outbreak was serious, but enquiry will be made of the Government of India.