§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that an outbreak of typhoid fever at Habost, in the Ness district of the parish of Barvas, Island of Lewis, which, up to February 13th, had resulted in seventy-five cases, is attributed by the local Medical Officer of Health for Barvas parish to the drinking water being contaminated; and will he state what steps have been taken to secure a supply of pure water.
§ MR. SINCLAIRI am aware of the unfortunate outbreak of fever referred to, and that it has been attributed to the water supply. The Local Government Board have called on the Local Authority for information as to what steps have been taken to improve it, and I am glad to be able to say that a new well has been sunk at Habost, Ness, at a spot selected by the medical officer and sanitary inspector, and that on the 23rd instant the medical officer reported favourably upon the water, and that a specification is being prepared to have the well protected and water brought to the road-side, and that the work will be proceeded with at once.