I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is in a position to make any statement with reference to the supply of diphtheria anti-toxin on the part of local authorities for the treatment of those who are not in a position to buy it themselves; and whether he will draw the attention of -the local authorities to the power given them under Section 133 of the Public Health Act, 1875, 38 and 39 Vic., c. 55, which enables them to provide medicine and medical assistance to the poor of their districts.

I am advised that the enactment to which my hon. friend refers, and a similar enactment in the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, enable sanitary authorities, with the sanction of the Local Government Board, to provide a temporary supply of diphtheria antitoxin for the poorer inhabitants of their districts, and medical assistance in connection therewith. I propose to issue a general Order giving sanction to such provision by sanitary authorities subject to suitable conditions. The Order is in preparation.