§ 7. Mr. Marloweasked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed to hold a public inquiry into the origins of the recent smallpox outbreak; whether the original contact entered the United Kingdom from an area where smallpox was prevalent; and whether he was in possession of a vaccination certificate.
§ Mr. MarquandAs the origin of the outbreak was immediately established, the need for such an inquiry does not arise. The answer to the second and third parts of the Question is "Yes, Sir."
§ Mr. MarloweWould the right hon. Gentleman like to pay a tribute to the medical officer of health and all the nurses and doctors who have worked 1048 unceasingly to contain this outbreak, to very great effect? Will he also take the earliest opportunity of making it clear that an outbreak affecting some 30 or 40 people among a population of a quarter of a million is one which should not cause this town or district to be isolated from the outside world because, at the moment, it has brought considerable disaster to local trade? Will the right hon. Gentleman do everything to combat that?
§ Mr. MarquandI certainly join the hon. and learned Gentleman in saying how greatly we appreciate the work which the doctors and all concerned in the matter have done in the course of this admittedly small outbreak.