§ 17. Mr. KELLYasked the Minister of Health whether arising out of the necessity to continue the arrangements for the detection of small-pox amongst casuals and the issue of Circular 830 pointing out that casual wards should not be closed except in the most exceptional circumstances, he can give any indication as to the extent the advice contained in the circular is being carried out by boards of guardians who have closed, or were contemplating the closing of, casual wards?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe circular in question deals with the detection of smallpox among casuals and advises boards of guardians that in the event of a case of small-pox being found in a casual ward the temporary closing of the ward should not be necessary if certain precautions are taken; the circular does not in any way deal with the question of the permanent closing of redundant casual wards.