§ MR. J. G. TALBOTI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, whether his attention has been called to a report in the Times of the 15th instant of a case at the Southwark Police Court, in which the chief officer of the Salvation Army Shelter in Black-friars Road was charged with an offence under the Public Health Act, viz., of conducting the shelter in a manner injurious to the health of the inmates; whether the state of the atmosphere was described as dangerous not only to health, but to life; whether it was known to the Board that a considerable number of cases of smallpox lately admitted to the hospital ships of the Metropolitan Asylums Board came from these shelters; and, whether he will take measures to place all such institutions under medical inspection.
§ MR. CHAPLINMy attention has been called to a report in the Times of the 15th inst., as to proceedings instituted by the Vestry of St. George the Martyr, Southwark, with regard to alleged overcrowding of the Salvation Army Shelter in Blackfriars Road. I understand that the case was adjourned, and no decision has yet been given by the Magistrate in this matter, and I think, therefore, that I cannot properly make any observations with reference to the evidence referred to. The Local Government Board are aware that a considerable number of cases of smallpox have occurred amongst persons who have been relieved in the Salvation Army Shelters. In the early part of last year the Board directed an inquiry as to the arrangements in connection with these shelters, especially as regards dealing with cases of infectious disease, and at the beginning of the present month I requested that further inquiries should be made by one of the medical inspectors of the Board as to precautionary meaures taken at the shelters with a view to the detection of cases of smallpox among the persons admitted. The general result of the inquiry would appear to be that the Salvation Army authorities realise their responsibility in the matter of smallpox, and are anxious to do all in their power to prevent the spread of that disease by means the 578 shelters. The Local Government Board are not empowered to enforce a medical inspection. Any powers for this purpose, apart from those which may be exercised by the medical officer of health, could only be obtained by legislation. The subject has been receiving my attention, and the question as to an alteration of the law with regard to these and other similar institutions will be considered by me.