§ MR. HENEAGEasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether his attention has been called to the numerous cases of typhoid and other illness arising from want of proper precautions in the drainage of houses and stables in the west end of London; and, whether he is aware that many well known and experienced medical practitioners and house agents consider that the present want of proper sanitary inspection is owing to the omission of London from the Public Health Act of 1875, and that some Act for the better sanitary supervision of London is urgently required in the interests of the public health?
§ MR. DODSONSir, I have received no information as to the alleged prevalence of typhoid and other diseases owing to the want of proper precautions in the drainage of houses and stables in the West End of London, and if such were the fact, it is not likely to come officially before me. Neither the sanitary authorities nor their officers make any reports to me on the sanitary condition of their districts, nor have I any jurisdiction to require them to do so. I do not know to what cause the well-known medical practitioners and house agents to whom my hon. Friend alludes attribute the present want of proper sanitary inspection, or what legislation they consider necessary. At the same time, I am quite disposed to admit that the sanitary supervision of the Metropolis ought to be placed on a better footing.