HC Deb 13 March 1913 vol 50 cc435-6W
Mr. BENTHAM

asked whether any investigation of the sanitary conditions prevailing on board His Majesty's ship "Conqueror" has been conducted, with the view of tracing the origin of the occurrence of small-pox amongst the crew; and, if such an inquiry has been held, will he lay the result before the House?

Dr. MACNAMARA

A careful inquiry has been made respecting the contracting of small-pox by three members of the crew of His Majesty's ship "Conqueror." It is impossible definitely to arrive at any conclusion as to the origin of the disease.

Mr. BENTHAM

asked the names, ages, and places of birth of those members of the crew of His Majesty's ship "Conqueror" who have contracted small-pox; what were the dates of their respective vaccinations and revaccinations; whence were the vaccines with which they were inoculated whilst serving in the Navy obtained; what was the nature of the original virus from which the vaccines in question were derived; and was any guarantee given by those who supplied these vaccines of their freedom from variolous taint and of their effectiveness for the prevention of small-pox?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The names, ages, and places of birth of the men referred to are as follows: Joseph Alfred Little, 23 years of age, Heckmondwike, Yorkshire; Cecil Webb, 19, Edford, near Bath; James B. Lingard, 19, St. Peter's, Rochdale, Lancashire. The men were revaccinated on entry into the service in 1905, 1911, and 1912, respectively. The vaccines were obtained from the Local Government Board, to which Department I would suggest that my hon. Friend should address the latter part of his question.

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