§ Mr. JOHN O'CONNORasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death from consumption on 16th January, 1909, of an Asiatic seaman named Rasip bin Mat, a Member of the ss. "Bloemfontein," of London; whether the seaman was medically examined before joining, and how long he had served on the vessel; whether he had any previous sea service; whether 870W steps were taken to isolate him from the rest of the crew; and whether any previous cases of deaths from this disease have occurred on this vessel?
Mr. TENNANTThe deck hand Rasip bin Mat was admitted into hospital at New York on 31st December last suffering from consumption, and died there on 16th January. I am informed that it is the practice for crews of vessels belonging to the Bucknall Lines to be medically examined before joining, but I have no specific information in the present case. The man had been on board the "Bloemfontein" for two months, and, being Cassab, it is probable he had had previous sea service. As the vessel is now in Japan, I am at present unable to ascertain whether the man was isolated on board during his illness. No other death from consumption has occurred amongst the crew of this vessel.