§ 37. Mr. STEWARTasked the Minister of Health whether he has replied favourably to the petition of the Moreton district council upon the subject of the caravan settlement in that and adjoining parishes; whether an expert from the Ministry of Health has surveyed the settlement and reported upon it; if so, whether he can see his way to publish the Report; whether this settlement contains about 1,100 caravans, many of which merely have bogus wheels and pretend to be movable residences, whereas they are not so; whether many tents are added during the summer months, increasing the population to many thousands; whether there is no drainage system and the latrines and urinals are wholly inadequate and insanitary; and, owing to the low level of the land, it is a quagmire in wet weather; whether, in dry weather, as the settlement is below high-water mark, there is any possibility of draining off the excreta, washing refuse, and food remnants, upon which flies feed in turn, with all the consequent danger of spreading an epidemic; and whether, if his present powers are insufficient to regulate the position, he will take powers to enable him to deal with a problem which is an intolerable nuisance and a grave danger both to the population inhabiting the caravans and to the whole surrounding district?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Sir A. Mond)I have received a report from a medical officer of the Ministry of Health on these settlements which is substantially in accordance with the statements of fact in the question. I am advised that the local authority has already sufficient powers to deal with the serious factors in the situation and I am in touch with them, and will communicate with my hon. Friend on the matter.
§ Mr. STEWARTIs there any way of limiting this, in view of the alarming fact, that it is increasing every year?
§ Sir A. MONDI should want notice of that question. The local authorities have full power to deal with it.
§ Mr, STEWARTWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to be prepared to meet an epidemic of typhoid fever which is almost certain to arise?
§ Sir A. MONDIt is the business of the local authorities to see that epidemics do not arise. They have full powers, and they ought to exercise them.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINWhat is the particular attraction of these places for all these lurid details?
§ Sir A. MONDNot having visited this place, I cannot say.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHow does he expect these people to live until he gets the houses put up?
§ Mr. STEWARTIs he aware that they only live in houses during the winter and only come to these places for enjoyment in the summer? Does he not know that the local authorities say that they have no powers to deal with them and they want him to give them the necessary powers?
§ Sir A. MONDI stated in my reply that I am informed that the local authorities already have sufficient powers.
§ Mr. STEWARTThey say "No."
§ Sir A. MONDMy advisers say that they have, and that they have not exercised them. I am in touch with the local authorities, and if I find that they have not sufficient powers, I am prepared to go into the matter.
§ Mr. BRIANTWill the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the general question of supervision and inspection of the people living in these sort of dwellings with a view to seeing that the children are not deprived of their education as is the case at the present time?
§ Sir A. MONDI think that is a matter for the Board of Education.