§ Mr. HAVELOCK WILSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death, on 30th November, 1908, from beri beri, of an Asiatic seaman named Abdool Currim whilst serving on the steamer "Asama," of Liverpool; whether he is aware that this disease is attributed to insufficient 1871W and improper food; whether the seaman was medically examined before joining the ship; whether he had any previous sea service; and whether any previous cases of deaths from this disease have occurred on this vessel?
Mr. TENNANTYes, Sir; the man referred to died of beri beri at Singapore. The cause of beri beri has not yet been definitely ascertained, but it is probable that bad and insufficient food may predispose to the disease. The superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office at Barry who inquired into the case reported that the food supplied was good and ample. I am not aware whether the man had been medically examined before joining the ship or had had previous sea service. One previous case of beri beri on board this vessel has been reported during the last three years.