§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if, having regard to the recent importation of that dangerous alien disease known as spotted fever, and the rapidity with which it spreads, he will issue strict instructions for the inspection of all alien immigrant ships, and, following the precedent of 1892, at the time of the outbreak of cholera at Hamburg, direct that no suspected case be allowed to land under any pretext.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSCerebro-spinal fever is not necessarily a disease imported from abroad, and at the present time I am not aware that there is any exceptional prevalence of it on the Continent. The circumstances in relation to this disease are different from those affecting an outbreak of cholera such as that referred to in the Question. As regards alien immigrants on immigrant ships which come within the Aliens Act, 1905 the hon. Member is aware that they are inspected under the Act, and that the Act requires that leave to land shall be withheld in the case of any such alien, if, owing to any disease, he appears likely to become a detriment to the public.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that 150,000 aliens came from continental ports last year, and might have brought the epidemic?
§ [No Answer was returned.]