HC Deb 06 April 1927 vol 204 cc2078-80
Mr. T. JOHNSTON

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give the House any further information regarding the outbreak of small-pox in Dundee; and whether he is aware that on the steamer "Macharda," just arrived at the mouth of the Tay with a cargo of jute from Calcutta, there are three small-pox cases; and what steps he proposes to take to assist the local health authority in protecting the citizens from this additional possible source of infection?

The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)

Up to this morning the number of cases of small-pox diagnosed in Dundee was 66, excluding the three cases on the steamer "Macharda." Of these 66 cases 60 have been removed to hospital. The remaining six were not discovered till after recovery when they were removed to a reception house for observation. Sufficient lymph has been issued for 30,000 vaccinations. A total of 8,500 school children had been vaccinated up to yesterday. The medical officer of health of Dundee received a wireless message and notified my Department of the three cases on the steamer "Macharda" before the vessel arrived in port. The duty of dealing with the present situation in Dundee rests primarily on the local authority, but the medical officers of the Scottish Board of Health are in close co-operation with the Public Health Department of the city and are rendering every assistance in their power. The three cases on the "Macharda" provisionally diagnosed as small-pox were removed to hospital immediately on arrival on the afternoon of the 4th instant and are very mild in type. All the crew have since been vaccinated and their quarters on board disinfected. No native member of the crew is allowed to leave the vessel but the European members are permitted to land on informing the medical officer of health or his representative where they are going. No one except those engaged in unloading is allowed to go on board and the stevedores were offered vaccination before the work of unloading commenced. I understand that the "Macharda" is leaving Dundee to-night.

Mr. JOHNSTON

May I ask whether this cargo of jute has been disinfected in any way, if it is to be allowed to be sent to the mills and if the workers are to be permitted to operate upon the cargo of jute?

Sir J. GILMOUR

The cargo of jute has never been handled or touched by any member of the crew, and is being unloaded and placed in sheds.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Are you going to allow it to be used in public works?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I understand that the medical officer is satisfied there is no risk of cargo infection. It is not yet clear that those members of the crew who were diagnosed as having smallpox have actually got smallpox. There has been no contact between the members of the crew and the cargo.

Sir BASIL PETO

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's first reply, has he any record of the number of cases among the 66 suffering from smallpox who have undergone recent vaccination?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I think none of them, but I would not like to say offhand.

Sir B. PETO

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire?

Mr. JOHNSTON

In the right hon. Gentleman's first answer did he not say that these three cases had been diagnosed as smallpox cases, and did he not say in his supplementary answer that he was not sure that they were smallpox cases? If they were smallpox cases, what guarantee has he that the raw jute has not been in contact with these people?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Because the ship was loaded by other people when she was being loaded at Calcutta, and the crew have never touched this cargo during the passage. All I can say is, that the wireless message which was sent to Dundee said that they diagnosed these cases as smallpox. On arrival every precaution was taken and the cases were removed to hospital; but it is very doubtful whether they are cases of smallpox; if they are, they are very mild cases.

Mr. BUCHANAN

In view of the fact that this affair has caused a great deal of feeling in Dundee, will the right hon. Gentleman, if for no other reason than to restore confidence amongst the population, take steps to see that something is done with this jute, in view of the fact that the population, rightly or wrongly, have a grave feeling that they may come into contact with it and spread the disease?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I can only express the view, of the responsible health officers who are dealing with this matter on the spot, and they assure me that there is no risk in connection with this cargo