§ LORD CLAUD HAMILTONasked the President of the Local Government Board, What steps the Government are taking with a view to the possible approach of cholera to this Country; and, whether it is not in the power of the Local Government Board, under the special circumstances of the case, to impose some stringent rules upon the local authorities in London in regard to the efficient cleansing of the streets, particularly where wood pavements have been laid down? I wish to supplement my Question by asking whether the attention of the right hon. Gentleman has been directed to the sanitary condition of the streets surrounding some of our markets, and especially of those surrounding Covent Garden Market?
MR. GEORGE RUSSELLLast year, owing to the outbreak of cholera in Egypt, much attention was given to the subject. Revised cholera regulations were issued, and the attention of the sanitary authorities was drawn to the precautions to be taken against cholera. Under the regulations which were issued, and are still in force, an officer of the Customs may detain a vessel on its arrival in England, if he suspects that it is infected with cholera. He is to give notice of the detention to the sanitary authority of the place where the vessel is detained, and they are thereupon to cause the ship to be visited and examined by their medical officer of health or 1685 some other medical man. Moreover, without any action on the part of the Customs' officer, the medical officer of health may visit and examine any ship which he has reason to believe is infected with cholera, or has come from a place infected with cholera. If, after his examination, the medical officer of health certifies that the ship is infected, no one can leave it until he has been examined by the medical officer of health, and any person who is found to be suffering from cholera is to be sent to a hospital. Doubtful cases may be detained on board or at a hospital until it is ascertained whether the disease is cholera. Provision is also made in the regulations for the disinfection of the ship or articles which are infected. Port sanitary authorities have been established at the ports, and they have sanitary officers, whose duty it is to deal with ships bringing cases of infectious disease into the country. The Board are not empowered to impose rules upon the local authorities of London in regard to the cleansing of the streets; but the efficient cleansing of the streets, including those where wood pavements have been laid down, should be regarded by the authorities as an every day duty, and no way dependent on an apprehension of cholera, lean assure the noble Lord that the matter referred to in his supplementary Question will not escape the attention of the right hon. Gentleman the President of the Local Government Board.
§ MR. J. G. TALBOTasked how long the regulations referred to in the hon. Gentleman's answer would remain in force?