§ COLONEL KINGSCOTEasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether his attention has been called to a serious outbreak of small-pox in the city of Gloucester, and where, owing to the total want of hospital accommodation there, persons infected with the disease are permitted to leave that city for the neighbouring towns and villages, thereby spreading infection; and, whether he will call upon the local authorities to take immediate steps to remedy the same?
§ MR. SCLATER-BOOTHMy attention, Sir, has not been called, except by the Question of the hon. and gallant Member, to any recent outbreak of small-pox at Gloucester. In the month of January last, the Local Government Board were informed by their Inspector that there were nine small-pox cases in the infectious wards of the workhouse, when steps were immediately taken to advise the Guardians as to their duty, and the Town Council were also called upon to provide hospital accommodation. This they professed themselves willing to do in concert with neighbouring sanitary authorities, whose jurisdiction comprises the suburbs of Gloucester, but difficulties seem to have occurred which, it is hoped, will be removed by a private Bill now passing through Parliament, 1083 At the close of the Correspondence, which, was in February last, the Local Government Board were informed that the disease was on the decrease.