§ MR. SOAMES (Norfolk, S.)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, seeing the advantages that have been derived from the weekly returns of infectious diseases now made in many districts in England, he will make it compulsory on all medical officers of health to make such returns.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) The returns on this subject at present furnished to me are made voluntarily by certain urban district councils every week. These councils receive from me weekly a tabulated statement containing the particulars supplied by the returns. It is open to other urban councils to join in the scheme; but the proposal to make it generally compulsory would require careful consideration, and I could not at present promise that this shall be done.