HC Deb 01 August 1904 vol 139 cc276-7
MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN (Cork)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Cork port sanitary authority have requested the Local Government Board to make regulations with reference to smallpox so as to enable them to make by-laws similar to those made by the Barry and Cadoxton Local Board; that the Local Government Board have declined to make such regulations on the ground that there is no section in the Irish Public Health Acts corresponding to Section 125 of the English Public Health Act, 1875, under which these regulations are made; and whether, seeing that the Local Government Board have made regulations of a similar nature with reference to cholera, yellow fever, and plague, he will explain why regulations cannot be made with reference to smallpox.

MR. WYNDHAM

The hon. Member is under some misapprehension. The General Regulations made by the Local Government Beard in Ireland under Sections 148 and 149 of the Irish Public Health Act, 1878, which deal with cholera, yellow fever, or plague are identical with those made by the Local Government Board in England under the corresponding sections of the English Public Health Act of 1875, namely: Sections 130 and 134. But the local authority in England has, under the 125th Section of the English Act, power itself to make regulations, to be approved by the Local Government Board, dealing with persons suffering from infectious and dangerous disorders brought within their district by any ship or boat. It is under this latter section that regulations were made by the Barry and Cadoxton Board referred to in the Question. There is not any section in the Irish Public Health Act corresponding with the 125th Section of the English Act, conferring this power on the local authority.

MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN

But what difficulty can there be in giving them the same power?

MR. WYNDHAM

It would need an Act of Parliament.

CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork County, E.)

Is it not possible to confer the powers on the Cork authority under a Provisional Order which is now before Parliament?

MR. WYNDHAM

I believe not, but I will inquire.