§ 26. Mr. HARRISONasked the Minister of Health the total number of cases of small-pox notified in England and Wales during the last 12 months, and the number of cases that proved fatal?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe number of cases of small-pox notified in England and Wales during the 52 weeks ended 2nd April, 1927, was 12,922. The number of deaths registered during the year ended 31st March, 1927, in respect of which small-pox was stated on the medical certificate as the cause or one of the causes of death, was 33. Of this number 32 were classified to small-pox and one to cancer.
§ Mr. HARRISONWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of making Regulations to enable the Port Sanitary Authorities to inquire of persons whether they have come from small-pox infected areas, and, if so, their destination in this country for the next fortnight after arrival?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe officers of my Department are taking all steps which are practicable in the circumstances.
§ Mr. HARRISAre the officers of the Department perfectly satisfied that all these cases are correctly diagnosed as small-pox? Are not some of the cases supposed to be chicken-pox or some other disease?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThere are people who would believe that a case of smallpox is anything but small-pox; but they do not include the officers of my Department.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs not vaccination the only preventive?
§ 27. Mr. HARRISONasked the Minister of Health the number of local authorities in England and Wales that have no isolation buildings of a permanent character that could be utilised for dealing with an outbreak of small-pox?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am at present obtaining full information on this matter, and it will be summarised and published in due course.