§ MR. J. DEVLIN (Belfast, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the prevalence of tuberculosis amongst children attending the elementary schools in Ireland; whether he has any figures or reports bearing upon the subject; and whether he would consider the advisability of ordering an inquiry into this matter, with a view to taking some effective means of mitigating the consequences of the disease amongst these children.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) My attention has not been specially called to the prevalence of tuberculosis amongs school children in Ireland, but I am, of course, aware of the regrettable prevalence of the disease in the country generally, and am fully alive to the importance of dealing 481 with the subject. The Commissioners of National Education have no statistics as to the number of children affected with tuberculosis. They inform me that they have taken what steps they may to prevent the spread of tuberculosis by the exhibition of notices in the schoolrooms calling attention to the danger of the disease. The Tuberculosis Prevention (Ireland) Bill, which is in course of preparation, will provide for the compulsory notification of the disease and will contain other provisions for dealing with the evil. In view of the proposed legislation a special inquiry into the case of the school children does not seem to be necessary.