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for the compulsory detention of "contacts" for a period of 17 days
This does not necessarily mean removal from their homes nor
detention from occupation in the majority of cases, but powers
should be given to a Local Authority to take such precautions when
considered advisable. Particularly is this necessary in the case of
the tramp class. That Parliament has recognised the advisability
of some such measures is evident by clauses in Private Bills which
have been granted in recent years to some of the towns in the North
of England. In the Eccles Private Bill—one of the last granted—
the following clause was inserted, and received the sanction of
Parliament: —
Extract from Private Bill referred to.
"Clause 129. If the Corporation deem it necessary to remove
from any house or part thereof, all or any of the residents
not being themselves sick on account of the existence or
recent existence therein of infectious disease or for the
purpose of disinfecting such house or part thereof they
may make application to a Justice and the Justice if
satisfied of the necessity of such removal may grant a
warrant authorising any officer of the Corporation to
remove such residents to such place of reception as shall
be named therein and imposing such conditions as to time
and otherwise as to him may seem fit provided always that
no such warrant shall be necessary when the removal is
carried out with the consent of any such resident or his
parent or guardian. The Corporation shall and they are
hereby empowered to provide free of charge temporary
shelter with any necessary attendance for such persons
while prevented from returning to such house or part
thereof.
The Corporation may for the purposes of this section:—
Themselves build any place of reception.
Contract for the use of any place of reception.