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It will be noted from the Report that Cholera appeared on the Continent
of Europe, and that special precautions were necessary during the months of
August, September and October, especially with a view to keeping under
observation passengers arriving from Cholera-infected districts. It is
satisfactory to report that the precautionary measures adopted were most
successful, and that the arrangements made and work done by the Port
Sanitary Authority and its Officers received the approval of the Local
Government Board.
Reference is made in the Medical Officer's Report to the Aliens Act, 1905,
which came into force on the 1st January, 1906, and to the fact that the
Medical Officer of Health was appointed Medical Inspector under the Home
Office for the purpose of carrying out the medical inspection under that Act
of alien immigrants arriving in the Port of London.
Under the order of your Honourable Court we have made all necessary
arrangements for the proper execution of the Act in the Port, and have
engaged the services of a temporary Assistant Medical Officer in connection
therewith.
Details are also given by the Medical Officer as to the imperfect accommodation
provided on vessels bringing alien immigrants into the Port of
London. Your Committee have made strong recommendations on the subject
to the Board of Trade and to the Russian Consul-General in London.
Assurances have been received from the Consul-General that the facts will
be brought to the notice of the Russian Government for such action as may
be considered necessary.
Mention is also made of the unsatisfactory accommodation provided on
ships for crews. We have directed a communication to be forwarded to the
Board of Trade, expressing the hope that in the Merchant Shipping Bill,
which has been introduced into Parliament, the Board will introduce clauses
which will deal effectively and satisfactorily with this matter.
The Medical Officer also refers in his Report to the subject of the medical
inspection of ships at Sheerness.
His Majesty's Customs proposed to the Rochester Port Sanitary Authority
that vessels should no longer be required to " bring to " at Garrison Point,
Sheerness, for the purpose of inspection, but should be allowed to proceed
direct to Rochester, and be dealt with there.
The Rochester Port Sanitary Authority viewed this suggested alteration
with some apprehension, and your Committee also expressed strongly the
opinion that the alteration proposed was undesirable, and was not in the
interests of public safety.
His Majesty's Customs accepted this view, so that no alteration was made,
and the arrangements, therefore, remain as before.