§ *MR. CARLILE (Hertfordshire, St. Albans)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board upon what grounds it is proposed to allow authorities in the county of Middlesex to place persons suffering from smallpox in the county of Hertford, and to erect a hospital in the latter county for their reception and treatment.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. JOHN BURNS, BATTERSEA)I presume that the case referred to is that of the Clare Hall Hospital. If so, I may point out that the hospital already exists, and that cases from Middlesex have for some years past been received in it. Indeed, I understand that the hospital buildings are actually in Middlesex, although part of the grounds are in Hertfordshire. There did not appear to me to be any sufficient reason for withholding sanction to the loan required for the purchase.
§ *MR. CARLILEDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose to make the county of Hertford the dumping ground for the insane and diseased from the counties adjacent?
§ MR. JOHN BURNSNo, it is not my intention, but these institutions are necessary and must be located somewhere. Generally speaking, their proximity to houses is grossly exaggerated.
§ *MR. CARLILEIs not the hospital to which the right hon. Gentleman refers a small private hospital, and is there not abundant accommodation in different parts of Middlesex for these diseased persons?
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI cannot see any reason to assume that this institution will be worse conducted under public auspices than it was under private management.