HC Deb 11 May 1939 vol 347 cc672-3
28. Mr. Benjamin Smith

asked the Minister of Health whether he has seen the information given by the medical officer of health for the port of Manchester, in his report for the year 1937, regarding a statutory notice served on the owners of a vessel in respect of food-lockers, forecastle floor, stove pipe, port lights, and water tank, and that the vessel has not been inspected since the notice was served; when, and in what circumstances, the notice was served; and what steps were taken in Manchester or elsewhere to see that it was complied with?

Mr. Elliot

I am making inquiries from the port health authority, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

29. Mr. Smith

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some port medical officers of health include in their published annual reports particulars of the informal and statutory notices served in respect of nuisances and defects in crews' quarters, together with particulars of the notices complied with, while others do not; and whether he will give the complete figures for all ports as supplied to him by these officers?

Mr. Elliot

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, port medical officers of health are not at present required to give this information in their annual reports, and I am considering, in the light of the representations which he has made to me, whether or not it should be required in future. I am sending the hon. Member some information relating to his questions of 4th May which have a bearing on the present question.

Mr. Smith

Will the Minister undertake to let me know the action he takes?

Mr. Elliot

Yes, Sir.

30. Mr. Smith

asked the Minister of Health whether he has noted the statement of the medical officer of the Weymouth port health authority in his report for 1937 that out of 141 informal notices served in respect of nuisances in crews' quarters 67 had been complied with and that 103 of the nuisances dealt with in previous annual reports had been found to have been satisfactorily abated, at visits to the port of the ships concerned during the year; whether the 67 outstanding notices have since been complied with; and whether there are still any nuisances that have not been abated?

Mr. Elliot

I am making inquiries from the port health authority and will communicate with the hon. Member.