§ MR. J. BURNS (Battersea)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, considering the allegations that are being made in the Press about the unsanitary condition, overcrowding, and general maladministration of the Fever Hospital at Hounslow, 1714 the Local Government Board will at once institute an inquiry?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Sir W. FOSTER,) Derby, Ilkestonsaid, the Local Government Board had brought under their attention the allegations which appeared in the Press with respect to the sanitary condition and administration of the hospital at Hounslow belonging to the Heston and Isleworth Local Board; and on the 8th instant the Board addressed a letter to the Local Authority asking for their observations on these allegations, and a Report by the Medical Officer of Health giving full information as to the facts with regard to the condition of the hospital, the number of patients admitted, and the officers and servants of the hospital. The Board have not, however, received any reply to that communication, and they have arranged for a Medical Inspector at once to visit the hospital for the purpose of ascertaining the facts.
§ MR. J. BURNSMay I supplement my question by asking whether the reason why no reply has been received from the Local Board is that, notwithstanding the serious condition of things, the Local Board have adjourned for their holidays, leaving illness, infection, and death behind them?
§ SIR W. FOSTERI have no information as to the adjournment of the Local Board for the holidays; but, even if that were so, it would make no difference to the action of the Local Board in securing a prompt remedy for any unsatisfactory conditions connected with the hospital in question.