§ Mr. THOMAS RICHARDSONasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware of the circumstances attending the death of Mrs.
944WSimpson, of Pasture Farm, Stainbeck Lane, Leeds, which disclose default on the part of the sanitary authority concerned; whether he is aware that the reason given for no action being taken by the sanitary authority was that certain interests were adjudged unwise to disturb, such interests being those of the owners; whether he is aware that the estate of these owners is dilapidated, and is, as it contains large dairy farms, a menace to public health; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be held into the circumstances in which the woman named died and into the administration of the Public Health Acts on this estate?
§ Mr. HERBERT LEWISMy right hon. Friend has been in correspondence with Mr. Simpson and the Town Council of Leeds with regard to this matter. The medical officer of health states that the 945W nuisance consisted of a stopped sink drain and an overflowing cesspool, which was situated in a field some distance from the farm buildings. The unsatisfactory sanitary condition of Pasture Farm was observed by the sanitary officials in the latter part of 1911, but, in deference to the wishes of Mr. Simpson, who wished to arrange the matter himself with the agent of the estate, the issue of statutory notices was postponed. Notices requiring the owners to carry out certain drainage works were issued on the 6th June, 1912, and the works were commenced on the 16th June, and completed on the 4th July, 1912. Mrs. Simpson was notified as suffering from typhoid on the 27th June, and died on the 7th July, 1912. The medical officer of health is of opinion that the occurrence of typhoid fever, though coincident with, was not consequent upon, the condition of the drainage. My right hon. Friend sympathises very much with Mr. Simpson in his misfortune, but he does not think that such an inquiry as is suggested would serve any useful purpose.