§ SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derby, Ilkeston)asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether he has under his consideration a scheme for publishing weekly Returns of sickness (infectious diseases) supplied to him by the Sanitary Authorities of certain towns in England and Wales; and, if so, whether he hopes to be able to carry out the scheme at an early date, and the number of towns likely to be included in the Returns?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)The Local Government Board have received communications from several towns in which the system of compulsory notification of disease has been adopted, suggesting that the Board should undertake the collection and issue of weekly Returns as to cases of infectious sickness in the towns in which that system is in force. I cannot state definitely what number of Sanitary Authorities would undertake to furnish the Returns; but the number would probably be about 30.
§ In reply to a further Question by Sir WALTER FOSTER,
§ MR. RITCHIEsaid, I would point out to the hon. Gentleman that the Act is not at present compulsory; and there might be very considerable danger of defeating the ends of the hon. Gentleman if we were prematurely to publish 1401 accounts as to the condition of infectious diseases in towns. But I hope that we may be able to legislate on this subject next Session, and then all reasons for not publishing the Returns will have ceased.