§ MR. PICTON (Leicester)asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether any Departmental or other Official Inquiry has been made into the epidemic of small pox in Sheffield; if so, what has been the nature of that inquiry, and, particularly, whether public notice has been given that anyone who had evidence to give would be heard; whether the Report of such inquiry has been received, or when it is likely to be completed; and, whether it will be laid upon the Table of the House?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)An exhaustive inquiry into the circum- 1035 stances of the epidemic of small pox at Sheffield by one of the Board's Medical Inspectors is still in progress. The object of the inquiry has been to ascertain the conditions under which the epidemic arose and spread, and especially how far vaccination, and want of vaccination, have been concerned with the prevalence of the disease. No formal inquiry for the taking of evidence has been held; but at the Inspector's instance a systematic inquiry by the Local Authorities has been made from house to house, and the Inspector has been continuously in Sheffield obtaining information on the subject. A provisional Report has been submitted. The analysis of the voluminous Returns prepared locally is now being proceeded with; and as soon as this is completed the final Report will be at once prepared and laid on the Table of the House.
§ MR. HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)asked, whether the epidemic had been so far suppressed that the town could be said to be clear of small pox?
§ MR. RITCHIEsaid, that was so.