SIR WALTER FOSTERTo ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the rate of infantile mortality in many populous districts, he will issue a circular to boards of guardians in the large towns, calling attention to the facts connected with infantile mortality, and pointing out that no difficulty should be made to discourage poor people from applying for early medical aid when they or their children are exposed to danger from epidemic diseases.
(Answered by MR. Walter Long.) I am advised that the high rate of infantile mortality in large towns is to a considerable extent due to improper feeding, and is by no means confined to children of the pauper class. I am not aware 1193 that difficulties are made to discourage poor people, who would be proper recipients of relief, from applying for early medical aid in the circumstances referred to in the Question, but if the hon. Member is aware of cases of the kind, and will furnish me with particulars of them, I shall be happy to make inquiry with regard to them. At present there does not seem to me to be sufficient ground for issuing a circular of the kind suggested.