§ Sir W. WHITLAasked the Minister of Health whether it is intended that Section 5 of the Local Government Act, 1916 (6 and 7 Geo. V., c. 12, Provisions as to notification of diseases), is to remain permanently in force, reducing the fee for notification of infectious cases from 2s. 6d. to 1s.; and, if so, whether the Government is aware that the said section is materially interfering with the notification of infectious diseases throughout the United Kingdom and is consequently exercising or is likely to exercise an unfavourable influence on the public health?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I informed local authorities in December of last year that the Section referred to would lapse on the date of the termination of the War as fixed by Order in Council, and that after that date the fee to be paid for the notification of a case of infectious disease would revert to 2s. 6d. The date in question is the earliest on which the change can be made, in consequence of the provisions of Section 24 (2) of the Act. In view of the above explanation the second part does not arise.