§ 90. Colonel MORDENasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been directed to the danger of infection to the frequenters of public libraries through the use of books previously handled by persons suffering from infectious ailments; and whether he will take steps to investigate this menace to the public health by directing local authorities to use adequate disinfectants in the public libraries of this country?
§ Lord E. PERCYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but my right hon. Friend is advised that medical officers of health are fully alive to whatever danger of infection there may be from this source. Special provisions as to the precautions to be taken to prevent the spread of infection through the use of library books are contained in Section 59 of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1907, and that Section may be put in force in any district on the application of the local authority. In the circumstances the Minister does not consider it necessary to undertake any special investigation or to issue any special instructions to local authorities on this matter.