§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade how many cadets on board the training ship Worcester are now suffering from the mumps; whether any of those afflicted take their share of sweeping decks; and, if so, how many; is he aware, that those now suffering or recovering from this disease attend school, mess in the same room, and sleep on the same deck with other cadets not suffering from mumps; and, will he state who is responsible for tins neglect of ordinary sanitary laws?
§ MR. RITCHIEI am unable to add anything to what I stated on Monday respecting the outbreak of mumps on the Worcester, and can simply repeat that the Board of Trade have no authority over the sanitary arrangements on board the Worcester, which is within the jurisdiction of the Port of London Sanitary Authority. That the statutory powers of the Sanitary Authority do not extend to an outbreak of mumps, but only to certain scheduled 1347 diseases of a dangerous nature. That I am assured that the cadets are under strict medical supervision, and that every precaution is taken by isolation and otherwise to prevent the spread of the disease.