SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derbyshire, Ilkeston)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give the most recent official information that he has received respecting the outbreak of plague at Johannesburg; and if he can state whether steps are being taken to destroy rats at Port Elizabeth and other ports, especially in ships arriving from infected ports.
§ MR. LYTTELTONI have no more recent official information than that which I have published, but I have asked Lord Milner to furnish a weekly Return of cases and deaths during the outbreak. Steps are being taken at the British ports that no mortality among rats escapes observation and examination, and I am making further inquiry.
SIR WALTER FOSTERWill the Returns be published from time to time during the recess so that we may see the progress of the plague?
§ MR. LYTTELTONYes, Sir.