HC Deb 08 July 1907 vol 177 c1167
MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that, at a recent meeting of the Stornoway Town Council Public Health Sub-Committee, a letter was read from the medical officer, stating that there is reason to believe that there are many cases of scarlet fever in the town which have not been notified, and that these cases are causing the spread of the disease throughout the community; and, in view of the insanitary condition of the Island of Lewis as reported by Dr. Dittmar, the medical inspector of the Local Government Board for Scotland, will he state what steps the Stornoway Town Council are taking to prevent the spread of the scarlet fever epidemic throughout the island.

MR. SINCLAIR

I am aware of the outbreak referred to, and the Local Government Board have been and still are in communication with the local authority as to measures taken to prevent the spread of the disease. The disease was of so mild a type that it was mistaken for a simple sore throat, and a number of cases escaped notification. The junior and infant departments of the public school were closed and will remain so for a further period of three weeks from 24th June.