HC Deb 02 April 1946 vol 421 cc188-9W
Mr. Viant

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of smallpox entered this country from the "Empress of Australia," "Duchess of Richmond," "Georgic," "Batory" and "Orontes "; what was the vaccinal condition of these cases of smallpox; for what length of time persons in these ships were quarantined; from which vessel were supposed contacts quarantined; and whether port medical officers use their own judgment with regard to imposing quarantine on supposed smallpox contacts.

Mr. Bevan:

The number of cases of smallpox landed in this country from the ships mentioned, and the reported vaccination history of each, were as follow: Empress of Australia"— I case. Vaccinated in infancy, and several times while in the Merchant Navy, but with no take. Duchess of Richmond "—4 cases. Vaccinnations:

  1. (a) infancy: 1940—slight take: July, 1945—no take.
  2. (b) infancy: May, 1941, September, 1941, and September, 1944—no take.
  3. (c) infancy: July, 1945—no take.
  4. (d) March, 1942: April, 1943: August, 5945.
Georgic "—No case. Batory— I very doubtful case. Vaccinated in infancy and frequently during service, lastly in 1945. Orontes "— I case. Vaccinated in infancy and in January, 1946.

Service personnel from the "Duchess of Richmond" were retained under medical supervision from arrival on 1st March to 7th March; and from the "Georgic" from arrival on and March to 4th March when it was decided that a suspected case was not a case of smallpox. Three contact cases from the "Empress of Australia "were taken to hospital. With regard to the last part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to him on 21st March.