§ MR. BRAMSDONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, considering the high death rate amongst infants under one year, some of the causes of which are preventable, he is taking any steps, and, if so, what, to deal with the matter; and, in particular, whether it is suggested that a Royal Commission should be appointed to examine into and report upon the whole question of infantile mortality, with a view of legislation being introduced at an early date.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. John Burns, Battersea)My right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. The Government fully realise the importance of the subject of infant mortality, and I am collecting information with reference to the influences affecting it. A suggestion has been made as to the appointment of a Royal Com- 136 mission to inquire into the matter, but I do not think it would be desirable to appoint such a Commission at the present time.
In reply to a further Question, Mr. John Burns said that the possibility of dealing with some of the questions involved by administrative means was under consideration, but there was no intention at present to appoint either a Commission or a Departmental Committee.