§ MR. HENRY HOBHOUSE (Somersetshire, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if, in view of the spread of the influenza epidemic and the uncertainty that prevails as to its causes and conditions, he will consider the appointment of a small Commission of experts to investigate and report upon the subject.
§ MR. GRANT LAWSONThe causes and conditions of influenza have already been investigated by the medical staff of the Local Government Board, and by experts employed for the purpose; and two lengthy Reports on the subject have been issued by the Department. In these circumstances it does not appear to me that any good results would follow from a further investigation of the kind suggested by my hon. friend.
§ MR. HENRY HOBHOUSEIs it not a fact that it is some years since the last 358 special Report on this subject was published by the medical officers of the Local Government Board?
§ MR. GRANT LAWSONYes; some years ago—1891 and 1893. Two Reports were issued.