THE EARL OF LIMERICKasked, Whether any considerable number of distressed refugees from Egypt have arrived and remain at Malta; whether any Government buildings are occupied by such refugees, and, if so, whether those buildings might not be required in the event of troops being sent to the Mediterranean; also whether any steps had been taken to prevent an outbreak of contagious diseases at Malta? The noble Earl said, that the heat at Malta at that time of the year was well known to be very great; and as, at present, the town was very much crowded with refugees in all parts, the consequences of an outbreak of cholera or fever among them would be very serious from the fact that they might extend themselves to the population and the troops.
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYThe best reply I can give to the noble Earl's Question is to give your Lordships the substance of a telegram which I have received from the Governor of Malta. He reports, on the 8th of July, that the number of refugees who had arrived was 7,800, in addition to whom 445 were hourly expected, making the total number 8,245. A large number of these have either returned to their families or distributed themselves among the hotels in Valetta and its suburbs, having arrived with sufficient means to enable them to live free of Government aid. On the 3rd of July the number maintained at Government expense was 2,006. These destitute refugees are quartered in the Lazaretto, or encamped in tents in its close vincinity, and the Governor had set apart a detached building, capable of holding 300 patients, in case of an outbreak of disease. I am not aware that any buildings have been occupied that would be required for troops. It will be seen, therefore, that the Governor of Malta has taken every step necessary to provide for the refugees, and taken care that their cases are fully attended to.