HC Deb 27 April 1909 vol 4 cc309-10W
Mr. HAVELOCK WILSON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death from phthisis pulmonalis, on 18th December, 1908, of an Asiatic fireman named Hatimulla Kallimolla, a member of the crew of the "City of London," of Glasgow; whether the seaman was medically examined before joining the vessel; whether he had any previous sea service; whether the Board of Trade surveyors have satisfactorily reported on the ventilation of the stokehold; if he can state how much coal the stokehold hands were required to work each 24 hours; and whether any previous cases of death from this disease have occurred on this vessel?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The man referred to died of consumption in hospital six weeks after discharge from his ship. I am not aware whether he had been medically examined or had had previous sea service, but I am informed that the ship carried a fully qualified surgeon, who had no note of the man having been ill on board. The vessel is now trading abroad, but upon her return to this country particulars will be obtained respecting her ventilation and coal consumption. The only other death from phthisis which has occurred on board this vessel was that of a passenger.