HC Deb 12 July 1909 vol 7 cc1635-6
Mr. BOULTON

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the medical inspector has condemned the water in the town of Ramsey, in Hunts, as unfit for drinking and the drainage as insanitary; if he is not aware of the epidemic, will he take steps to make himself acquainted with the fact; if no report has been given to him of the outbreak of infectious disease, will he send an inspector into the district; if he will say how many deaths have occurred from the epidemic within the last two months; and, if he is not aware of the number, will he make inquiries?

Mr. BOULTON

also asked whether the expense of laying down a suitable system of drainage in Ramsey, Hunts, and the provision of a suitable supply of water fit for drinking was put forward by the urban district council as an excuse for allowing the state of things now prevailing to continue and persons to die from the epidemic of scarlet fever; and, seeing that complaints were made years ago on this question to the Board and that his attention had been directed specially to this question, would he state what steps he now proposed to take to put into operation the provisions of the Public Health Act, and so save further loss of life in the district?

Mr. BURNS

I am aware that the consulting medical officer of health of the county council reported unfavourably on the water supply and disposal of the sewage of the town. The urban district council decided to take some tentative action as regards the water supply; but, as I stated in reply to my hon. Friend's question on Wednesday last, they consider the expense of providing a new system of sewers, which would also necessitate a water supply, to be prohibitive. I have made inquiry and find that 53 cases of scarlet fever were notified to the medical officer of health in the months of May and June last, and that five deaths from the disease occurred during those months. As I have stated twice before, I have not received any such complaint of default on the part of the district council with respect to sewerage and water supply as would enable me to take compulsory action under the Public Health Act. I have, however, given directions that one of the medical inspectors of the Local Government Board shall visit the district and make a Report with respect to it.