§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he will state under what circumstances a man named Costello, of Latimer Street, Liverpool, recently escaped from Fazakerley Smallpox Hospital; and, in view of the danger which may result therefrom, will he state what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. WALTER LONG,) Bristol, S.I am informed that on the evening of the 19th March the patient referred to, who up to that time had shown no indication whatever of mental derangement, left his ward and went into the grounds of the hospital. He was followed by the hospital officials, and found on land belonging to the Corporation adjoining the hospital grounds. It may be mentioned that the hospital site is 130 acres in extent. The incident was not attended with any ill effects either to the man or anyone else. I do not propose to take any steps in the matter.