§ 62. Mr. GILBERTasked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he can make any statement as to the present epidemic of small-pox; whether it has been confined to London; how many cases have been discovered; how many deaths have occurred; how many of the cases have been vaccinated or not; and can he state what special action his Department has taken in the matter?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERThe present outbreak of small-pox is not confined to London. Cases of this disease have occurred during the present year in 56 districts outside London and in seven Metropolitan boroughs. 893 cases have been discovered, and 26 deaths have occurred. 278 of the cases had been vaccinated. 608 were either unvaccinated or showed no evidence of vaccination, and in seven cases there is no information as 703 to vaccination. Special instructions have recently been issued to all sanitary authorities and boards of guardians as to the steps to be taken on the occurrence of small-pox, and medical officers of the Ministry have visited the districts in which cases have occurred in order to advise and assist the medical officers of health.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs it not the case that where outbreaks of small-pox do occur, the cases are usually in congested areas or badly-housed areas?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question on the Paper.