HC Deb 07 July 1909 vol 7 cc1386-7W
Mr. BOULTON

asked the President of the Local Government Board what steps he has taken to compel the urban district council of Ramsey to make proper provision for the safety of the town against scarlet fever and epidemics arising from the bad water and bad drainage to which his attention was called a year ago; how many cases of fever have occurred in the last month and how many deaths have been due to disease arising from the insanitary condition of the town in the same period; and what steps he now proposes to take to save further loss of life in the district?

Mr. BURNS

I have pressed the subject of sewage disposal on the district council. They have directed some temporary measures to be taken, but they urge that the expense of providing a new system of sewers, which would also necessitate a water supply, would be prohibitive. As I stated in reply to a previous question, I have not received any such complaint of default on the part of the district council with respect to sewerage and water supply as would enable me to take compulsory action under the Public Health Act. No outbreak of infectious disease in the district has been reported to me during the present year.