§ MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state approximately the cost which the present epidemic of smallpox has involved in the London area up to the 31st March last.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. WALTER LONG,) Bristol, S.I understand that the epidemic has involved an expenditure of about £280,000 on the part of the Managers of the Metropolitan Asylum District during the half year to the end of March last. This amount includes a sum of £225,000 in respect of special expenditure in connection with smallpox accommodation and transport. I have no information at present as to the amounts expended by Boards of Guardians and other local authorities in London in connection with the epidemic. I think, however, that the amount should be obtained, and if further information is pressed for, willingness might later on be expressed to give a Return, if asked for, showing the expenditure incurred by local authorities in London in relation to the epidemic, when the accounts up to the end of March have been made up.