§ MR. J. DEVLIN (Belfast, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any action has been taken either by the local authority or by the Local Government Board with regard to the Report of the Belfast Health Commission; whether he is aware that the Commission attribute the recurrence of typhoid to shell fish and insanitary conditions; whether any figures are available as to the quantity and source of supply of the shell fish referred to; whether he has any official Reports showing that not more than one-third of the drains and sewers in Belfast will stand the smoke test; and whether the Report is to remain a dead letter, or whether the Local Government Board will take action to see that the recommendations of the Commissioners are carried out.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I refer to my Answer to the hon. Member's Question of the 4th instant on this subject. The Report is still under the consideration of the Belfast Corporation. Having regard to the many important recommendations made therein, the Corporation must be allowed a reasonable time for decision before the Local Government Board can take action. The various matters mentioned in the Question are referred to in the Report, but the Board have no more definite information on the subject than is therein contained.