§ MR. STRAUSI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he intends to suggest to the local authority concerned the desirability of taking legal action against the 521 Metropolitan Asylums Board for omitting for fourteen days to notify the outbreak of enteric fever, in fact, until there had been more than fifty cases; and whether he can say why the Metropolitan Asylums Board did not use the ordinary test for enteric fever which would have taken but a few hours.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI am informed that the facts are not quite what my hon. friend supposes. I understand that the first notification of the cases of enteric fever at the Belmont Asylum was made twelve days after the earliest manifestation of illness amongst the inmates, and that the number of persons who had been then attacked was ten. At first the patients were supposed to be suffering from influenza. When, however, suspicion arose that the disease was enteric fever the necessary apparatus for applying the test referred to in the Question was obtained, and samples were sent to the bacteriological laboratory of the Asylums Board. On the same day that the real nature of the disease was ascertained as a, result of the bacteriological test notification was made. I do not propose to suggest to the local authority to take proceedings against the Asylums Board in the matter.
§ MR. STRAUSIs not twelve days a very long period to elapse before notifying a serious outbreak of this kind?
§ MR. JOHN BURNSYes, but I am informed that the Board will make the necessary arrangements to prevent the possibility of a recurrence of such delay.
§ DR. COOPER (Southwark, Bermondsey)Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that the Board had not the necessary apparatus for applying the tests, but had to obtain it?
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI do not think the Answer means that, for I believe they had the apparatus. Indeed, I am certain they had, but if the hon. Member will put down his Question I will inquire further.