§ Mr. LANE-FOXasked what was the date of the Report on the sanitary administration of Harrogate; whether that Report was based on an inspection made fully a year previous to its issue; whether the Report referred to a small proportion of the houses in the town; and whether later sanitary reports by the medical officer of health for the borough record the remedying of the defects mentioned?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe Report in question, as my right hon. Friend was careful to state on Thursday, is dated the 16th November, 1908. It is admitted that the state of affairs to which he called attention existed at the date of its publication in February, 1909. The later reports of the medical officer of health record the remedying of defects, but they also indicate that they existed to a serious extent. I am aware that action has been taken by the council since the report of the Local Government Board inspector, but inquiries that my right hon. Friend has since instituted have convinced him that there are still houses in Harrogate unfit for human habitation.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXWill the right hon. Gentleman point out to the Chancellor of the Exchequer the serious injury such partial statements may do to a growing health resort?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI cannot admit that the statements are partial. I think a good deal of the ratepayers money is often spent on the more showy portions.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXThe Chancellor of the Exchequer quoted one report and not the others. Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that is a fair way of dealing with the matter?