§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether any, and, if so, what, regulations are in force with regard to cases of infectious disease rejected and sent ashore from emigrant and passenger vessels, after the inspection by the medical Inspectors to the Board of Trade, of passengers by outward bound ships; whether the medical Inspectors are required to report the matter to the Local Authorities; and if it is a fact that complaints have been made of occasional outbreaks of infectious and epidemic diseases in consequence of such cases going uncontrolled to common lodging houses, &c.?
§ * SIR M. HICKS BEACHThe matter to which the hon. Member refers is one rather for the Local Sanitary Authorities under the Public Health Act, 1875, than for the Board of Trade. The Board's Medical Inspectors report to the Local Authorities whenever (as in London, for instance) those Authorities ask them to co-operate by doing so; and I have directed that they shall in future report whether requested or not. I understand that no complaint has in recent years reached the Board of Trade of any outbreaks of disease having occurred under the circumstances stated by the hon. Member.