HC Deb 17 December 1902 vol 116 cc1469-70
MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)

To ask the Lord Advocate if he will state the number of public schools in the Island of Lewis which have been closed during the year on account of typhus or typhoid fever or other epidemics, and the period during which each school has remained closed.

(Answered by Mr. A. Graham Murray.) The schools in the Island of Lewis closed since 1st January, 1902, on account of epidemic sickness, were as follows:—Stornoway, Aird Public School, March 7th to July 14th; Stornoway, Tolsta Public School, July 3rd—still closed; Stornoway, Knock Public School (Junior Section only), August 25th to September 15th; Stornoway, Bayble Public School (Junior Section only), August 23rd to September 8th; Barvas, Lionel Public School, April 9th to June 2nd; Barvas, Cross Public School, January 1st to February 18th; Barvas, Shawbost Public School, January 1st to March 24th; Barvas, Airidh-an-tuim Public School, January 1st to February 19th; Uig, Carloway Public School, January 1st to January 6th.

MR. WEIR

To ask the Lord Advocate, in view of the fact that the report of the South Western District Committee for Ross and Cromarty, dated 26th July last, shows that there were several cases of typhoid fever and other infectious diseases in the district during the year, some of which proved fatal, will he state to what cause these outbreaks are attributable; were any public schools in the district closed on account of these outbreaks of disease; if so, how many, and for how long a period did each school remain closed.

(Answered by Mr. A. Graham Murray.) I am informed by the Local Government Board that the medical officer of the county is of opinion that the outbreak is traceable to the insanitary condition of a house in Loch Carron. The Secretary for Scotland is taking steps to secure fuller information. The schools closed during the year ended 31st July, 1902, in the district referred to were Kintail, Dornie Public School, about two months; Lochalsh, J. Earbusaig, about two months; Loch Carron, Strome, about two and a half weeks.