HC Deb 30 July 1923 vol 167 cc1058-9W
Mrs. WINTRINGHAM

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the present numbers of men, women, and children, respectively, in the Indian community in Fiji; whether there are any fully trained medical woman, nurses, or midwives in the islands and, if so, of what nationality; and what arrangements are made by the Fiji Government for the medical treatment of the Indians?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

The census of 1921 showed 23,407 Indians under 15 years of age, 24,886 men and 12,326 women. There were two European women medical practitioners (one of whom was presumably the Government medical officer, whose agreement recently expired) and women nurses numbering 33 Europeans, seven half-caste, 31 Fijians (not including those in the native villages) and five Indians. No distinction between races is made by the Government medical and hospital service, which cost in 1922 £51,319, not including buildings; that is, over 11 per cent. of the revenue.