SIR EDWARD BASSOONI beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he has read the Report of Dr. Allan, the medical officer of health for the city of Westminster, relative to the liability of the users of telephones to contract tuberculosis; if he is now convinced of the danger to public health to which his attention has already been drawn; and whether he will insist upon the adoption of the system of flat mouth-pieces, such as obtains in France with no disadvantage to the public service.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI have read the report of Dr. Allan, which was not communicated to the Post Office, but was published in the Lancet. Steps are taken for the regular cleansing of Post Office public telephones, and suggestions for improved methods of disinfection are under consideration. In 1905 a series of tests were made of call office telephones in London by the City Medical Officer of Health, with the result that no evidence of any danger of infection was found. The case specially referred to by Dr. Allan appears to be quite exceptional. It was one of six in which tests were applied, and in the other five cases no trace was found of dangerous germs. Many appliances for attachment to telephones, 576 in order to prevent the danger of infection, have been examined in connection with the Post Office telephone system, but their use is open to many objections. Washing with disinfectants is, in the opinion of medical experts, including Dr. Allan, the most effective safeguard.
§ SIR EDWARD SASSOONThe right hon. Gentleman has not appreciated the point of my Question. I asked as to the flat mouth-piece, and as to its superiority over other mouth-pieces.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONWe have considered that and other appliances, but have not come to the conclusion at which the hon. Gentleman appears to have arrived.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONThe matter is under consideration, and any suggestion from any one with real knowledge on the matter will certainly receive careful consideration.