§ MR. VINCENT KENNEDY (Cavan, W.)To ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will say what method is used to prevent the landing of persons affected with pulmonary consumption in the Commonwealth of Australia; and will he supply fully the details of any legislation existing on this subject.
(Answered by Mr. Churchill.) Under the Commonwealth Immigration Restriction Act, 1901, any person suffering from an infectious or contagious disease of a dangerous character is a prohibited immigrant, and may be detained for the purpose of medical examination by any officer entrusted with the administration of the Act for a period not exceeding twenty-four hours, in such place and in such custody as he thinks fit. The Secretary of State has no information as to the exact method in which the examination is conducted, but will ask the Governor-General of the Commonwealth for a Report, if the hon. Member desires.