§ MR. J. G. WEIRI beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the condition of the Long Island Combination Poorhouse, at Lochmaddy, Inverness-shire; whether he is aware that there is no separate ward for the sick and dying paupers; that the so-called sanitary arrangements are of the most primitive and unsatisfactory kind; that the inmates have to drink roof rainwater 634 contaminated with the excreta of seabirds, or to use water from a pond in the grounds; and that the matron recently died from typhoid fever contracted through the insanitary state of the establishment; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?
§ SIR GEORGE TREVELYANThere are two sick-wards in this poorhouse, and it is to be kept in view that the poorhouse is a small one, the number of inmates sometimes being as low as two. It is true that there is very great difficulty in getting an adequate supply of water by gravitation, but the County Sanitary Inspector has recently made a survey of the ground, with the result that he thinks it may be possible to introduce such a supply. Pending his Report, arrangements have been made on the suggestion of the Local Government Board for having a supply of water brought in for the use of the house by watercart. The house was, from a sanitary point of view, in an unsatisfactory condition, and the Board pointed this out to the local house committee, who are now taking steps to remedy its deficiencies. It is the case that the matron recently died of typhoid fever, but it is not known how the disease was contracted. I have requested the Local Government Board to furnish me with a further report, in a month hence, as to whether the sanitary arrangements have been put right by the house committee, and whether any further progress has been made with the water supply.