1Power to local authorities to provide cleansing, &c. for persons infested with vermin.

On and after the passing of this Act any local authority shall have the power, when in their discretion they shall see fit, to permit any person who shall apply to the said authority, on the ground that he is infested with vermin, to have the use, free of charge, of the apparatus (if any) which the authority possess for cleansing- the person and his clothing from vermin. The use of such apparatus shall not be considered to be parochial relief or charitable allowance to the person using the same, or to the parent of such person, and no such person or parent shall by reason thereof be deprived of any right or privilege or be subject to any disqualification or disability.

Local authorities may expend any reasonable sum on buildings, appliances, and attendants that may be required for the carrying out of this Act, and any expenses for these purposes may be defrayed out of any rate or fund applicable by the authority for general sanitary purposes or for the relief of the poor.

2Definition.

In this Act " local authority " means in England the council of any county borough, the district council of any district, any board of guardians, and in the county of London any sanitary authority as defined in the [54 & 55 Vict. c. 76.] Public Health (London) Act, 1891.

3Application to Scotland.

In the application of this Act to Scotland, " local authority " means and includes any local authority under the [30 & 31 Vict. c. 101.] Public Health (Scotland) Act, 1867, and any Acts amending that Act; but the local authority shall not erect buildings for the purposes of section one hereof, except with the sanction of the Local Government Board for Scotland.

4Application to Ireland.

In the application of this Act to Ireland,—

(1)The expression " local authority" means a sanitary authority under the Public Health (Ireland) Acts, 1878 to 1896:

(2)Any expenses incurred by a local authority in the execution of this Act shall be paid as part of the expenses of such authority in the execution of the Public Health (Ireland) Acts, 1878 to 1896, and in the case of a rural authority shall be general expenses :

(3)A local authority shall not purchase or erect buildings for the purposes of this Act without the consent of the Local Government Board for Ireland.

5Short Title.

This Act may be cited as the Cleansing of Persons Act, 1897.