§ MR. CADOGANasked the President of the Local Government Board, If he can inform the House what steps, if any, the Corporation of the city of London have taken in fulfilment of their duties as the sanitary authority of the Port of London under the Public Health Act of 1872?
§ MR. STANSFELDin reply, said, there had no doubt been some delay on the part of the Corporation, who were the sanitary authority of the port of London, in fulfilling their duties under the Public Health Act of 1872. But some arrangements had now been made by the sanitary authority. One of Her Majesty's ships had been placed at the disposal of the Corporation by the Admiralty, for the purpose of a hospital ship, and would be moored off Gravesend. A duly qualified medical practitioner had been appointed to take charge of that ship, with authority to appoint an assistant medical officer if necessary, and two ship-keepers would reside on board with their wives, who would act as nurses when required. Every precaution had been taken, and in cases of emergency the Directors of the Seamen's Hospital at Greenwich were prepared to receive a limited number of cholera cases. Arrangements had also been made for the treatment of dangerous infectious diseases.