SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derbyshire, Ilkeston)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the high infant mortality in the large towns of the kingdom; whether, with a view to lessening this mortality, he will inquire whether the facilities for granting outdoor medical relief are sufficient in the great provincial towns and in districts like St. George's in the East, Whitechapel, Limehouse, and Stepney; and, if not, whether he will take steps to improve the methods of granting medical out-relief.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) I am aware of the figures referred to as to infant mortality. Except that in some places additional relieving officers might be appointed, I have not at present seen any reason to suppose that the existing facilities for granting outdoor medical relief are insufficient; but, so far as the Metropolis is concerned, a special investigation is at this moment being made by one of the assistant inspectors of the Department as to the arrangements for outdoor medical relief.