HC Deb 12 February 1913 vol 48 cc980-1W
Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will state the number of small-pox cases and deaths that have been notified at Newhaven within the last six months and the condition as to vaccination and re-vaccination of each case; whether a medical inspector has visited the locality and presented a Report; and, if so, what was the sanitary condition of the locality in which the cases occurred?

Mr. BURNS

In Newhaven Urban District eighteen cases of small - pox have been notified, all within the last four weeks (also two in the borough of Lewes and one in the borough of Rye). Total twenty-one. This outbreak has been inquired into by a medical inspector of the Board, in collaboration with the local medical officers of health. The condition as to vaccination of the patients was as follows:—

— Total. Stated to have been in Infancy. Un-vaccinated. Re-vaccinated. Died.
Cases under 10 years of age … 5 0 5 0 3
Cases over 10 years of age … 16 15 1 2 1*

* Stated to have been vaccinated in infancy.

The inspector reports that the houses in which the Newhaven cases occurred were in a somewhat overcrowded condition. The history points to the infection having been introduced from abroad by a sailor.

Mr. SNOWDEN

also asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the clerk to the East Sussex western small-pox hospital committee has been applied to under the provisions of Section 8 of the Vaccination Act, 1898, for particulars of the small-pox cases treated in that hospital, but has declined to furnish such information; and whether he will indicate to that official that it is part of his duty to supply the particulars asked for or denote the proper official to whom such application should be made?

Mr. BURNS

I have received a communication making the statements contained in the question. In my opinion the clerk to the hospital committee is the proper person to furnish the particulars desired, and I have drawn his attention to the provisions of Section 8 of the Vaccination Act, 1898.