§ MR. JOSEPH A. PEASE (Essex, Saffron Walden)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that a patient suffering from smallpox is now being treated in a fever hospital within a few yards of a public road between Hedingham and Halstead, in Essex; and whether he will take steps to secure the better isolation of the patient.
§ MR. WALTER LONGI am informed that by arrangement between the Hal-stead Urban and Rural District Councils, the hospital of the latter Council at Castle Hedingham has been exclusively reserved for the reception of any smallpox cases occurring in the district of either authority, any other infectious eases in the two districts being received in the hospital of the Urban District Council. Recently, a mild case of smallpox was, in accordance with this 148 arrangement, removed to the Castle Hedingham Hospital, where it is still under treatment. I understand that this hospital is twenty yards from a highway, and is in a very isolated position—the nearest dwelling being 300 yards distant. The District Councils concerned consider that the arrangement adopted is the best that could be made in the circumstances; and at present I sec no reason for dissenting from their view.