HC Deb 26 February 1963 vol 672 cc1056-7
2. Mr. C. Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give details of the medical supplies and drugs which were delivered to St. Helena by United States aircraft and ships following the bus accident which occurred there on 24th December.

Mr. Fisher

As the reply is rather long I will, with permission, arrange for it to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT, but I should like to take this opportunity of saying how grateful we are to the United States authorities for the valuable help which they gave in this matter in arranging both for an extra doctor to get quickly to the island and for the transport of medical supplies which were urgently needed.

Mr. Hughes

While associating, myself with the thanks which the hon. Gentleman has just given, may I ask the Under-Secretary of State why these necessary drugs are not available on St. Helena to meet emergencies of this kind? I think that he should explain to the House why there is this constant lack of necessary drugs on this remote island. Can the hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that there are now sufficient necessary drugs on St. Helena to meet any emergency which may occur now or in the future?

Mr. Fisher

Yes, there are sufficient drugs there now. There was a shortage of drugs on the island as some of the drugs ordered were not dispatched on a boat arriving on 23rd December owing to shipping and other difficulties at a time when, as the hon. Gentleman knows, there was an actual shortage of food supplies on the island. The main effort was concentrated on them and I am afraid that the drugs, for which there would have been room on the ship, were omitted on that occasion.

Mr. Dugdale

May I ask why it is that, although we are said to have a large number of ships and aircraft, we should not be able to provide either but have to rely on the Americans to send these things?

Mr. Fisher

Actually, the Navy offered to lay on a frigate, but it was quicker to send help by way of American aircraft.

Mr. Dugdale

Had we no aircraft?

Mr. Fisher

We had a Shackleton available, but there was bad weather here. It would not in any case have got there any quicker than the American aircraft.

Following is the reply:

Hyalase 10 ampoules
Sulphamezathine 750 tablets
Saluric (Chlorothiazide) 100 tablets
Transfusion sets 12
Streptomycin 425 grams
Anti-Tetanus serum 14 doses and 100 ampoules
Piriton (Chlorpheniramine maleate) 100 ampoules
Gauze 200 yards
Largactil (or American equivalent) 50 ampoules
Injection of Compazine (Prochlorperazine maleate) 250 milligrams
Promazine Hydrochloride 7 vials
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