HC Deb 13 May 1869 vol 196 cc808-9
MR. BRUCE

, in moving for a Select Committee to inquire into the working of the Contagious Diseases Act, 1866, and to consider whether, and how far, and under what conditions, it may be expedient to extend its operations, said, the Lords' Committee had recommended that the Act should be extended to eleven more military stations, and several towns had applied to have the Act extended to those localities. The Government thought the principle of the Bill should not be extended without consideration, and they, therefore, proposed that the measure should be submitted to the consideration of a Committee.

MR. MITFORD

said, that on the 25th of February the Government were asked in the other House, what were the intentions of the Government on the question, and the reply was that the Government would bring in a Bill. Relying on this, those opposed to the measure took no action, and now, on the eve of Whitsuntide, the House was adjourning, and no Committee could sit till the month of June. The Government should at least have taken some notice of a memorial signed by physicians and doctors, and, endorsed by the heads of Colleges at Oxford and Cambridge, and the Vice Chancellors of the Universities. He hoped, however, that the measure would be passed.

COLONEL NORTH

also expressed a hope that the Government would proceed earnestly in the matter, which was of the deepest importance to the troops, if not to the community generally.

Motion agreed to.

Select Committee appointed, "to inquire into the working of the Contagions Diseases Act 1866, and to consider whether, and how far, and under what conditions, it. may be expedient to extend its operation."—(Mr. Secretary Bruce.)

And, on June 8, Committee nominated as follows:—Mr. CHILDERS, Sir JOHN PAKINGTON, Captain VIVIAN, Marquess of HAMILTON, Mr. DONALD DALRYMPLE, Mr. PERCY WYNDHAM, Mr. KINNAIRD, Mr. COLLINS, Sir JOHN SIMEON, Mr. JAMES LOWTHER, Mr. RATHBONE, Lord EUSTACE CECIL, Lord CHARLES BRUCE, Sir JAMES ELPHINSTONE. Mr. MURPHY, Mr. TIPPING, Dr. BREWER, Mr. MILLS, Captain GROSVENOR, Sir JOHN TRELAWNY, and Mr. MITFORD:—Power to send for persons, papers, and records; Five to be the quorum.