§ MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN (Kilkenny, N.)To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been directed to the increase of smallpox in Greenock; whether he is aware that the hospital accommodation is insufficient and the buildings overcrowded; can he state whether patients are detained sufficiently long to avert danger of their spreading the disease after discharge; whether the reception house is well situated and sufficiently commodious for the proper isolation of all contacts; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure the provision of adequate hospital and reception house accommodation by the local authority.
(Answered by Mr. A. Graham Murray.) The hospital accommodation for smallpox in Greenock has been extended from time to time during the progress of the epidemic, and steps are being taken for the erection of another additional pavilion. The circumstances attending the occurrence of every case are reported to the Board, and there is nothing in these reports to suggest that patients are prematurely discharged. The existing reception house is suitable for the purpose, but has not been equal to the demands arising from the epidemic. The Board have called upon the local authority to provide additional accommodation. They understand that great difficulty is experienced in acquiring proper premises.