§ MR. FINDLATERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention has been called to the 343 fact that smallpox having broken out in a street of small tenements in the borough of Gravesend, the medical officer of health made an application to the Mayor to get a magistrate's order for the removal of several fresh cases to certain huts which were last year built in an isolated country locality for the reception of those suffering from any contagious disease, which application was refused by his worship; and, if the chief magistrate was justified in such refusal; and, if not, whether the Government will take steps to prevent a repetition of such refusal?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTSir, in this case I have to say that I have received a letter from the Mayor of Gravesend, who informs me that an application was made under the 124th section of the Act of 1875, which merely authorizes the removal of a child when without proper lodging and accommodation. In the circumstances of the present case, the magistrates did not think that the child in question came within that section of the Act.