§ SIR CHARLES FORSTERasked the President of the Local Government Board, "Whether any communication has been received respecting an outbreak of small-pox in Great Barr, Staffordshire; and, whether it is a fact that such outbreak was to be traced to the occupation of a house, without previous disinfection, in which cases of small-pox had occurred; and, if so, by whose fault it is that such disinfection was not provided for?
§ MR. SCLATER-BOOTH, in reply, said, he had received no information in reference to the subject referred to by the hon. Member. The last Quarterly Returns of the Registrar General showed an unusual mortality in the Walsall Union, of which Great Barr formed a part, and inquiries had been made of the sanitary authorities on the subject. If the alleged outbreak arose from the occupation without previous disinfection of a house in which the disease had existed, the person letting the house would be liable to a penalty of £30. Moreover, if the sanitary authorities had a medical certificate to the effect that disinfection was necessary, and it was not done satisfactorily, they might cause the work to be performed, and charge the owner or occupier with the cost.