§ MR. VINCENT KENNEDY (Cavan W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state how many persons have landed in Ireland from the United States and other countries within the last year to remain in the country and who were suffering from pulmonary consumption; will he say whether this serious disease is still on the increase in Ireland; and will he acquaint himself with the legislation at present in force in Australia and other British Colonies which deals with preventing the spread of this scourge, with a view to introducing similar legislation at once in Ireland and thus deal effectively with this drain on Ireland's dwindling population.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Irish Government have no information as to the number of immigrants into Ireland who are affected with pulmonary consumption. The proportion of deaths from this disease in Ireland has been practically constant for a good many years past, and in this respect Ireland shows a regrettable difference from the rest of the United Kingdom, in which the death rate from consumption has been steadily diminishing. The question of undertaking legislation for Ireland in regard to
†See (4) Debates, Clxx., 450.339 this important matter has already engaged the attention of the Government I regret that I cannot hold out any hold of immediate legislation, but the matter will not be lost sight of.