§ 24. Mr. BURGOYNEasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Miss Meredith, owner of the house which formed a central feature of a legal action, Humphries v. Miller and others, before Mr. Justice Darling on 15th to 18th May last; whether he is aware that the, then tenant, Mr. Humphries, has left the house with furniture in it, and that, in view of the fact that the case investigated was leprosy, no one could be induced to take it out and sell it for arrears of rent now due, and that no agents who had been approached by the trustees for the owner will put the house upon their books; whether he is aware that counsel suggested only sentimental damage was being suffered by the trustees and owner; and if, in the circumstances and in view of the fact that the jury decided from this case that leprosy was infectious and contagious, he will consider the desirability of scheduling leprosy as a notifiable disease?
§ Mr. LONGMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. My attention has been drawn to the case referred to, but I have not complete information on the details referred to. The question whether it is desirable to make the disease notifiable is under consideration. I may add, however, that the number of cases of this disease in this country is extremely small.