§ 90. Mr. HALESasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to a serious outbreak of diphtheria at the Chipping Campden Grammar School and that the outbreak was stated to have been spread by those students attending the school who used a private swimming pool at Broad Campden, the water of which is not changed more than once a year; and if he will take steps to have all such pools brought under the supervision of his inspectors?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREOnly one case of diphtheria was notified in the Campden Rural District during the last four months. In his annual report the medical officer of health reported that 21 cases occurred in 1933, most of them at this school. My right hon. Friend has no information that the outbreak was attributed to infection from bathing, and he is not aware that the causal organism of diphtheria has ever been found in water. As regards the second part of the question, the Public Health Act, 1875, gives the local authority or any of their officers a right of entry to any premises for the purpose of ascertaining whether any nuisance exists, and my right hon. Friend does not think that it would be good policy that detailed inspection of swimming pools should be carried out by officers of the central authority.
§ Mr. HALESIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the only method of cleaning this pool is by enlisting the services of the local fire brigade, and that it is an annual event of great interest?
§ Captain GUNSTONIs my hon. Friend aware that the local authority denies the implication contained in the question of the hors. Member?