§ 106. Mr. Molsonasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the complaints from passengers in H.M.T. "Winchester Castle" regarding the bad conditions on board and stating that, owing to contaminated or unwholesome food, there was an epidemic which affected some 600 of the passengers on board; and whether he is now in a position to make a statement.
§ Mr. BarnesI am informed by the shipping company that they consider this unfortunate outbreak of illness was probably due to a sudden and considerable fall in temperature following very hot weather in the Red Sea, resulting in gastric disturbances. The port health authorities at Mombasa made a thorough inspection of the refrigerators, larders and galleys which were all found to be in accordance with hygienic requirements. Arrangements were made for samples of the foodstuffs to be analysed at Durban, but full results are not yet available. A further investigation will be carried out by the shipping company and by my Department, when the "Winchester Castle" arrives back in this country shortly.