HC Deb 02 May 1893 vol 11 cc1735-6
MR. FOSTER (Suffolk, Lowestoft)

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that any special expenditure incurred by the Port Sanitary Authorities of the Kingdom to prevent the importation and spread of cholera will be for the benefit of the whole Kingdom, while any neglect at the ports would be injurious to the whole Kingdom, whether he is prepared to reconsider his refusal to grant some assistance from the Imperial Exchequer towards such expenditure so far as it is special; and whether he is aware that the Associated Chambers of Commerce have recently passed resolutions affirming the justice of the demands of the Port Sanitary Authorities for such Imperial assistance?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir W. HARCOURT,) Derby

I have nothing further to add to what I said to the deputation which waited upon me the other day.

MR. FOSTER

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that something like a breach of faith has been committed by an officer of the Local Government Board going to Lowestoft and instructing the Town Councillors there as to the steps which should be taken against cholera, and making a statement that the Local Government Board would not contribute a farthing towards the cost unless their recommendations were carried out in their entirety? The gentleman named is Dr. Copeland.

SIR W. HARCOURT

I know nothing about that.

MR. FOSTER

I will repeat the question.