HC Deb 05 June 1890 vol 345 cc65-6
DR. TANNER

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been directed to the case of leprosy in a Swedish emigrant, as reported in the Liverpool Courier of 22nd May; whether the woman in question was permitted to land in and pass through England, to pass the examination of the medical emigration officers of health at Liverpool, at their survey of the Cunard steamship Cephalonia on the 17th April last, and the second inspection at Queenstown by an officer of the same department; whether it is true that the woman in question was not allowed to land by the Port Authorities in Boston, U.S.A., after inspection by their medical inspector and several eminent American scientists, who declared the case to be one of genuine leprosy; and that the Cunard Company were, in consequence, compelled to bring her back to England; if it is true that on her arrival in Liverpool she was conveyed to the Brownlow Hill Workhouse, and there examined, as reported in the Liverpool Weekly Mercury— By Dr. Hope, assistant medical officer of health for the city; Dr. Hill, the Board of Trade officer; and Dr. Robertson, who entertained little doubt that the case is one of leprosy. And made special arrangements for her complete isolation; whether such isolation was effected on board the Cunard steamship on either passage; what has been done with the patient; and whether any steps will be taken to prevent the loathsome and infectious disease in question, as well as other contagious and infectious diseases difficult of detection, being propagated in consequence of the present system of inspection by medical Board of Trade Inspectors?

SIR M. HICKS BEACH

I am not in possession of full particulars with regard to the case to which the hon. Member refers, but I will cause inquiry to be made into all the circumstances.

DR. TANNER

If the right hon. Gentleman will tell me when it will be convenient to him to have the question repeated, I shall be happy to put it?

SIR M. HICKS BEACH

It may be necessary to refer to Boston for information, and, if so, it will be some time before I can get the information.

DR. TANNER

I hope the right hon. Gentleman will give his kind attention to the matter, as it involves a serious question of responsibility.