§ SIR CHARLES CAMERON (Glasgow, Bridgeton)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that the Renfrew County Council have recently refused to receive into their hospital for infectious diseases cases of scarlet fever occurring at the Bridge of Weir Orphan Homes; and whether the Local Government Board has taken any, and, if so, what, steps to prevent the spread of the disease among the hundreds of children inhabiting the Homes, and through them to the general population.
§ * THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. A. GRAHAM MURRAY,) ButeshireThe answer to the first branch of the question is in the affirmative. I am informed by the Local Government Board that the refusal was due to want of room, but that the 586 Board have had the position under their careful consideration, and if the steps they have recommended to the local authority are carried out, these will, in their opinion, effectually remove all cause for apprehension as to the spread of the disease. As a matter of fact, no case of scarlet fever has occurred in the Homes since the last week of March.
§ SIR CHARLES CAMERONWhat suggestions have been made?
§ * MR. A. GRAHAM MURRAYAn alteration of a section of the Public Health Act giving certain powers to the local authorities.