§ MR. JAMES STUART (Shoreditch, Hoxton)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he will state to the House the course which Her Majesty's Government have taken with respect to the Contagious Diseases Ordinances in the Colonies and Possessions of this country, with the results of any action which they may have taken?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir HENRY HOLLAND) (Hampstead)The Colonies in which Contagious Diseases Ordinances were in force in October last were Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbadoes, Labuan, Ceylon, Hong Kong, the Straits Settlements, Malta, and Fiji. In Jamaica, Trinidad, and Barbadoes, repealing laws have been passed, which have been confirmed. In Labuan the Ordinances have been suspended, and their repeal has been ordered. In Ceylon, Hong Kong, and the Straits Settlements the Governors have been directed to introduce measures repealing the Ordinances; but there has not yet been sufficient time to carry out the instructions. In the case of Malta, the Governor has been instructed to invite the Council to follow the example of the United Kingdom in 779 this matter. In Fiji, in view of the special circumstances affecting the health of the native population, and especially in consequence of the coolie immigration from India, I have decided not to press for the immediate repeal of the Ordinances. In the case of Gibraltar, where there is no Ordinance, the Governor has been directed to put an end to the system of the examination of women. In St. Helena the Ordinance of 1865 was allowed to lapse in 1879. I should add that I believe that there is no law or regulation on the subject in Mauritus; but the hon. Member having expressed his opinion that there is such a law, an inquiry was made by my Predecessor, to which no reply has yet been received. I will make further inquiry.