§ MR. H. S. FOSTER (Suffolk, Lowestoft)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the fact that the Council of the Association of Municipal Corporations, representing nearly every Municipal Corporation in the Kingdom, passed a resolution at their last meeting expressing the opinion that the expenses incurred by a Local Authority in taking special precautions to prevent the introduction of cholera should be defrayed out of the Imperial Exchequer; if he is prepared to re-consider his refusal to render such assistance to Local Authorities out of the Imperial Exchequer for the above purposes; and whether, in the alternative, the Government will afford the House an early opportunity of discussing this subject?
§ MR. HENEAGE (Great Grimsby)I beg, at the same time, to ask the right 324 hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the Council of the Association of Municipal Corporations have passed a resolution to the effect that, in their opinion, the expenses incurred by a Local Authority in taking special precautions to prevent the introduction of cholera should be defrayed out of the Imperial Exchequer; and what steps have been taken to provide the Seaport Sanitary Authorities with hospital ships free of charge by the Admiralty?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTWhen a deputation came to see me on behalf of the Ports asking me to undertake the payment for precautions against cholera out of Imperial funds, I stated that the demand would certainly be made not on behalf of the Ports alone, but of all Municipal Authorities. This is what has happened, as I predicted. I have nothing to add to what I stated to the deputation.
§ MR. HENEAGEMy right hon. Friend has not answered the second part of my question.
§ SIR W. HARCOURTI am in communication with the Admiralty on the subject, and I hope that it may be found possible to do something in the matter.
§ MR. HENEAGEHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the conditions under which the Admiralty propose to lend hulks? Is it possible for Local Bodies to accept them? Can he do anything in that direction?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTI have not seen the conditions. I will do what I can to press the matter on the attention of the Admiralty.
§ MR. H. S. FOSTERWill the right hon. Gentleman say if the Government will afford the House an early opportunity of discussing this question?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTThere is one thing which the Government very much want, and that is money; but there is another thing which they want still more, and that is time.
§ MR. H. S. FOSTERI beg to give notice that I will take the earliest opportunity of calling attention to the subject. I now beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board what steps his Department have taken, or are taking, by way of precaution against any importation of cholera into this country?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. H. H. FOWLER,) Wolverhampton, E.During the outbreak of cholera last autumn, and subsequently, the Local Government Board have carefully considered all practicable precautions against the introduction of the disease into this country. There will be no relaxation in the action of the medical staff of the Local Government Board, and I am quite satisfied that they are doing everything' that is within their power to safeguard the health of the country.
§ MR. H. S. FOSTERHave any recommendations been made to the Port Sanitary Authorities as to the steps they should take to prevent an outbreak of cholera?
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERThe Medical Inspectors have been making examinations, and advising all the Port Sanitary Authorities during the past few months.
* MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)When the right hon. Gentleman says that the Medical Officers are doing all that can be done, does he mean that they are doing nothing whatever except to recommend stops to be taken at the expense of the Local Authorities?
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERThat is an argumentative question.