§ Major Dowerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that miscroscopes are not provided for ships' doctors on merchant ships; and, in view of the recent death of Mrs. T. J. Johnson, caused by the absence of a microscope on the steamship "California," will he consider introducing legislation to make such provision compulsory?
Mr. StanleyMy attention has been called to the death to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers and I am making inquiries in regard to it. The provision of microscopes for ships on long voyages was fully examined in consultation with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Ministry of Health and the shipowners some years ago, when it was decided that there was not a sufficient case for making the provision of microscopes compulsory. I am having the question reviewed.