§ Sir L. SCOTTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has, since the question put to him by the hon. Member for Edge Hill (Mr. Hayes) on the 15th of December last, made a further investigation into the truth of the allegations referred to in that question, which had been made at an inquest upon the death by typhoid of one of the crew of the Leyland liner "Delilian," that the meat and water were tainted, and that six of the crew had been taken ill; whether the "Delilian" has since that date returned to this country; and whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the matter?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTEREnquiries were made in this matter and statements were obtained from seven members of the crew who had not sailed again on the vessel. Three of these refer to the meat being tainted, and there is general reference to the water on the homeward voyage being somewhat rusty. As against this, thirty-four members of the crew who sailed again in the vessel have signed a statement that the food and water during the whole of the voyage was in every way good and fit for human consumption. Moreover, enquiries made by the Board's officers showed that the owners took every precaution to secure good provisions and water, and no complaint whatever was made to the ship's officers, owners, superintendent, or the Board's officers. The result of the enquiries made confirms the verdict given at the inquest and no further action is contemplated.