HC Deb 27 June 1939 vol 349 cc190-2
10. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make further inquiry into the death of Mr. J. Richmond, at Manila, on board the "Empress of Britain," when on a world cruise, and particularly as to the ship's officers, officials of the Canadian Pacific Line, and port medical officers of ports visited by the ship having been subsequently notified by the medical officer of the "Empress of Britain" that the death was from gastroenteritis due to the cholera bacillus; and whether the death is so entered in the medical officer's log in possession of the Canadian Pacific Company?

Mr. Stanley

I have made further inquiry into this case, and I am informed that in a report to his company, which was attached to the medical officer's log, the senior surgeon referred to the possibility that the death might have been due to cholera, to the precautions taken against the spread of any possible infection, and to the fact that no further cases occurred. In this report, he also stated that after a full discussion of all the facts with the medical officer, Batavia, the latter accepted an open diagnosis of acute gastro-enteritis. At the Statutory Inquiry held by the Board of Trade, the senior surgeon was questioned by the Board's superintendent and confirmed that the death was due to acute gastro-enteritis.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, having examined the facts, he considers there is any doubt whatsoever that the senior medical officer of this ship did inform the ship's officers, the officials of the line, and the port medical officers at the ports visited by the ship, that this death was due to cholera?

Mr. Stanley

Equally there is no doubt that the same medical officer agreed with the medical officer in Batavia that it was due to gastro-enteritis, that he signed an entry in the ship's log that the death was due to gastro-enteritis, and that, at the Statutory Inquiry held by the Board of Trade, when questioned by the superintendent, he confirmed that the death was due to acute gastro-enteritis. In the circumstances, there seems to have been a considerable conflict of testimony given by this particular medical officer.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Is it not the case that, while this medical officer did certify that death was due to gastroenteritis, he also informed every responsible person concerned, that the gastro-enteritis was due to the presence of a cholera germ?

Mr. Stanley

I understand that at the Statutory Inquiry held by the Board of Trade, the senior surgeon gave as his opinion that the death was due to gastroenteritis.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

In view of the completely unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.