§ 4. Mr. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can give any information as to the outbreak of scarlet fever at Osborne; if he can give the date of the first case and give any reason why the notification of the disease to the parents was so long delayed; if he is aware that on 1472 the far side of the River Medina, opposite the College, there is a large and offensive refuse heap; that there are also several sewers emptying into the river, and that the consequent healthiness and amenities of the neighbourhood are seriously affected thereby; and if he will have these evils remedied?
§ Mr. DOUGLAS HALLBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers the question, may I ask if there is the slightest foundation for the allegations contained in the question as regards the River Medina, seeing that the Isle of Wight is one of the healthiest of islands?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I am afraid I cannot go into that. I will answer the question on the Paper. As I stated yesterday, there has been a recent outbreak of scarlet fever at Osborne, seven cases in all, the first occurring on the 1st November and the last on the 10th December. The disease was introduced into the college by a cadet. Notification of the disease was sent to the parents on 10th and 11th December, so as to prepare them for the holidays. Any earlier notification would have been useless since the incubation period for scarlet fever is about seven days. The drainage of Newport goes into the River Medina. Inquiries are being made as to the existence of the refuse heap mentioned.