§ SIR W. EVANS GORDONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that trachoma, from which certain immigrants rejected by the United States and brought back to this country are suffering, is a dangerous and highly infectious disease of the eye, and the third cause of total blindness; whether any steps are taken to segregate such cases and prevent the infection being conveyed to others; and whether he can state by whom the cost of treating diseased emigrants rejected in the United States is borne.
§ *MR. GLADSTONEI am well aware of the serious character of the disease called trachoma. I gave particulars last Tuesday, in answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Sheffield, † of the conditions laid down in the single instance in which I have permitted an alien transmigrant reported by a Medical Inspector under the Aliens Act to be suffering from trachoma to remain in the United Kingdom. The cost of the woman's treatment will be borne, I presume, by these who were interested in obtaining permission for her to remain in this country.
§ SIR W. EVANS GORDONDoes the right hon. Gentleman say he will not in
†See (4) Debates, clxiii., 885.331 future admit aliens rejected by the United States who are suffering from this terrible disease?
§ *MR GLADSTONEsaid he was awaiting a Report on the subject.