§ MR. JOHN HOPE (Fife, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to an outbreak of typhoid fever near Lochgelly, Fifeshire, in houses recently built by the Fife Coal Company, Limited, for their workmen; and if he will institute an inquiry into all the circumstances, in view of the loss of life which has taken place.
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. AKERS DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine'sThis is not a matter in which I have jurisdiction to institute an inquiry, inasmuch as it affects public health and not the regulation of mines. I am informed, however, by His Majesty's Inspector of Mines for the East Scotland District, that active measures have been taken to prevent any further spread of the infection. Pure water is being taken in carts to the locality, persons attacked are at once removed to hospital, and disinfection is vigorously carried out. The local authority is also stated to be considering the question of a new scheme of water supply. Only one fresh case has been notified since Saturday, so that it is hoped that the measures taken have been successful in checking the outbreak.