Mr. LLOYD MORGANasked the President of the Local Government Board whether county councils have hitherto been unable to appoint a medical officer of health under the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909; whether the reason is that such councils are unable to fix the salary of the medical officer until they are in a position to specify the duties of the 623W office; and whether he will state when he proposes to issue the General Order setting forth the duties of county medical officers under the said Act?
§ Mr. BURNSThe power of a county council to appoint a medical officer of health is contained in Section 17 of the Local Government Act, 1888, and many county councils have already exercised the power. As regards the last part of the question, I may state that the General Order prescribing duties is in an advanced state of preparation, and that I hope to issue it shortly.