MR. LOUIS SINCLAIE (Essex, Romford)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that Wanstead and Woodford are adjoining urban districts having populations of 9,000 and 14,500 respectively; that Wanstead has ample isolation hospital accommodation and Woodford has none; that an inquiry was held in November last, under the Public Health Act, 1875, at the instigation of Woodford alone, and in disregard of the remonstrance of Wanstead; that His Majesty's inspector reported in favour of the Local Government Board making a compulsory Provisional Order for the formation of a joint hospital board for the two districts; that a letter from the Wanstead Urban Council and a petition from the ratepayers had been sent to the Local Government Board against the Order being made, Wanstead desiring to retain its own hospital and to maintain its own patients; and, if so,whether he will undertake, under the circumstances, that the Board will decline, at the instance of Woodford alone, and in face of the opposition of Wanstead, to make a compulsory Provisional Order (subject to confirmation by Parliament) for the formation of a ant hospital board for the districts of Wanstead and Woodford combined.
(Answered by Mr. Grant Lawson.) I am aware of the facts of this case, which are generally as stated in the Question. The matter is now under the consideration of the Local Government Board, but I cannot at present state what their decision, will be.