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has yet come to give universally the compulsory powers proposed in
this Bill by absolute, by out-and-out, legislation. We think that after
a few years' experience of the working of these provisions in the
districts where they have been applied, and in the other districts which
may try them very shortly; then, after investigation, the matter may be
extended still further. But we are disposed to give local authorities
who want these powers the means of dealing with infectious diseases
at once, without the necessity of applying for a local Act, either by
means of a general Act, which they could bring into force themselves,
or else by giving them power to make bye-laws for that purpose.*
Therefore, as at present advised, and without having heard any debate
which may take place in Parliament on the subject this year, it would
be our opinion that the second reading of this Bill might be supported
on behalf of the Government; but we can hardly consent to the third
reading, supposing it to be in its present form. It would require modification
in the way I have indicated ; that is our view."
A question having been asked, Whether the Government
would introduce a Bill? the President said he "feared the
prospects of legislation this year were not encouraging on that
head, and there would be little chance of a Bill, if introduced
by the Government, passing into law : should the Bill now before
Parliament obtain any chance of a proper discussion, he would
be disposed to support the second reading, but not the third";
and having been asked, AVhether he would refer the Bill to a
Select Committee ? he said he should be " prepared to support
such a proposition.''† It may be mentioned that prior to the
reception of the deputation, the President had received a
deputation from the " Vigilance Association," which desired to
enlist the President's influence in opposition to the Bill, on the
*The Medical Officer of the Board in his Annual Report for 1881-2 writes on
this subject as follows: "Seeing how greatly the usefulness of Sanitary Action
in respect of infectious diseases must depend upou early knowledge of its
presence, I have had no hesitation in advising that this power (i.e.), of obtaining
immediate information of the existence of infectious disease in any house)
might properly be possessed by any Sanitary Authority who wanted it, and who,
having made adequate arrangements for securing isolation and disinfection
for the district was prepaied to put to effectual use the knowledge which a
system of disease notification would afford." It may be remembered that the
Select Committee on " Sanitary Regulations " (House of Commons, Session 1882)
recommended that " in any future amendment of the Public Health Act powers "
(i.e., to secure " notification") " should be extended to all Urban Sanitary
authorities, or at least that means should be devised for clothing them with such
powers on application."
†The Bill was strongly opposed on the motion for the second reading, and,
the House having been counted out, may be considered as "dropped" for the
current session. This is not altogether to be regretted, the subject being one
that can be properly dealt with by the Government only.