SIR JAMES LAWRENCEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether information has reached him of an outbreak of small pox in the Isle of Man; if it is true that the Vaccination Laws are not in force in the Isle of Man; and, if any steps have been or are about to be taken to remedy this defect?
§ MR. RITCHIEcalled attention to the fact that the Question put by the hon. Member opposite (Sir James Lawrence) was not in the same terms as the Question of which he had given Notice, which included a reflection upon the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man. The Question as it originally stood included the following:—
Whether it is true that the Governor and his family have left the Island on account of the virulent character of the disease?He should like to ask, Whether there was any foundation for the rumour?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS,in reply, said, he was quite sure that anybody who knew the character of the Governor would not think for a moment that he was capable of deserting his post at a time of danger. It was utterly untrue that he had left the Island. With regard to the outbreak of small-pox, it was quite true there had been a violent outbreak of that disease; but stringent measures had been adopted to localize it, if possible, and it was now limited to only a few cases. It had undoubtedly spread owing to the vaccination law not Being in force in the Island. But a Bill had now passed through the local Legislature, and it would have received the Royal Assent at the present, but for a small technicality which he hoped to correct. Papers connected with the question of vaccination in the Isle of Man would soon be laid before Parliament.