§ MR. BRADYsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention has been directed to the evils resulting from persons labouring under infections diseases being carried to hospitals in public conveyances; and, if so, if it is his intention to introduce any measure this Session with a view to remedy the same?
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, that no representations had been made to him by any public authorities upon this subject, but his attention had been directed to it by letters in the newspapers referring to it. The subject was one of importance, and there were great difficulties in the way of legislation. When the last Hackney Carriages Act was before Parliament the matter was discussed, and a clause was proposed having for its object the prevention of the evil to which the hon. Gentleman's question referred, but after a good deal of discussion it was withdrawn. There was no difficulty in enabling parochial authorities or hospitals to provide carriages for the transport of persons suffering from infectious diseases; the difficulty was as to empowering the drivers of hackney carriages to refuse fares on the ground that they believed that the persons about to enter their carriages were afflicted with such diseases.
§ MR. BRADYsaid, he wished to know whether, as the question was one of such great importance to the public, the right hon. Gentleman, in the event of his intro- 186 ducing a Bill to remedy the evil complained of, would have any objection to that course, and would he be ready to support it?
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, that on the contrary he should feel much obliged to the hon. Gentleman if he would embody his views upon the subject in the form of a Bill.