§ THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAMSHIREasked the Secretary of State for War whether any inquiry had been recently instituted into the sanitary arrangements at Pembroke Camp, at Malta; and, if so, with what result; what amount of money had been spent there on sanitary arrangements since the last outbreak of enteric fever; to what cause were the deaths of Captain Carey, who died at Pembroke Camp on February 21st, and Private Lucas, who died about the middle of February, both of them belonging to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, attributed. He remarked that he had received information to the effect that Pembroke Camp was in a shockingly in sanitary condition. In consequence of deaths from enteric fever some time since the drains were opened and examined, and, though they were found to be in a very foul condition and dangerous to the health of the troops, no prompt remedial measures were taken. The consequence was that the troops of the two regiments stationed at the camp had been obliged to turn out into the parade-ground because of the insanitary condition of the barracks. He hoped the Secretary for War would be able to assure the House that the matter would be immediately attended to, and that the report of the Joint Civil and Military Committee as to the condition of the camp in question at Malta would be acted upon. ["Hear, hear!"]
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (The MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE)The last inquiry into the sanitary condition of Pembroke Camp, Malta, was held by a joint civil and military Committee early in 1894. This inquiry revealed grave defects in the sanitary arrangements of Pembroke Camp, the chief points requiring attention being the water supply, which was shown to be polluted, and the drainage system, which required complete renovation. Suspicion 1582 was also cast on the supply of mineral waters and milk by hawkers to the soldiers, and the attention of the General was called to this point. In consequence of the Report of the Committee the polluted water supply was cut off, and none but aqueduct water is now used. The question of renovating the drainage of the camp has proved a more difficult one, as a complete scheme for remodelling the drainage of the whole island has been under consideration, and a thorough reconstruction of the sewers of the camp can only be undertaken in connection with it. Much has, however, been done to improve the sanitation. The remodelling of the drainage of the upper half of the camp was sanctioned in May last, and considerable progress has been made with the work. As to the second part of the noble Lord's Question, I am afraid I cannot say what amount has been spent on the drainage since the last outbreak of enteric fever, which I regret to say occurred only a month or two ago, Captain Carey dying on February 21 and Private Lucas about the same time. During the year 1895 a sum of about £300 was spent on improving the existing drains, but besides this a very considerable sum was devoted to the partial remodelling to which I have already referred. As, however, this was done in connection with the reconstruction of a part of the barracks and the specific expenditure on drainage was not earmarked, I am afraid I cannot state its exact amount. As to the last part of the Question I have not yet received the detailed reports as to the deaths of Captain Carey and Private Lucas, but there is, I believe, no doubt that enteric fever was the cause in both cases, and there is, I fear, good reason to suppose that the fever was due to the unsatisfactory sanitary condition of the island if not of the barracks. I am obliged to the noble Lord for calling my attention to the matter, which seems to need further inquiry. I can promise him that it shall have my special attention.