§ 63. Mr. LANE-FOXasked the Secretary to the Treasury where the residential institutions are situated in which forty-five out of the eighty-two patients who are receiving sanatorium benefit in the West Riding of Yorkshire are being treated; and of what nature and under what management they are?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am circulating the information desired by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXDoes that mean that there are a great many institutions in which there are one or two patients under treatment for tuberculosis?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThere are many institutions. I have a list of eight or nine to which patients have been sent.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXAre these regular sanatoria or mere makeshifts, and does 764 this carry out the pledge that sanatorium benefit will be given to all suffering from tuberculosis?
§ Mr. MASTERMANYes, Sir, they are regular sanatoria. There are various institutions, some of which have been adopted for sanatorium treatment, and some of which are sanatoria in the ordinary sense.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXAre they in the West Riding?
§ Mr. MASTERMANYes.
§ 64. Mr. LANE-FOXasked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the estimated number of persons suffering from consumption in the West Riding of Yorkshire, of whom only eighty-two have hitherto received any sanatorium benefit under the National Insurance Act?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have no information as to the number of persons suffering from consumption in any district except so far as they have applied for sanatorium benefit under the National Insurance Act. As I informed the hon. Member on the 10th instant, applications had been received up to 20th November from 140 persons, including a number who were not eligible. Of these eighty-seven were after examination recommended as suitable and eligible for treatment and eighty-two received treatment from the insurance funds. The number of those who have received treatment in this district has now risen to over 100.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the eleven months ending last November there were 3,271 cases notified, and that last year 1,376 deaths occurred from phthisis in the West Riding?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI should not think that is in the least incompatible with my answer. The insurance committees have only to deal with tuberculosis benefit in respect of persons who apply for benefit. So far as I can see, the West Riding is adequately dealing with this benefit.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXIs the pledge being carried out that sanatorium benefit would be open to all suffering from tuberculosis after 15th November?
§ Mr. MASTERMANCertainly, I should think it is being thoroughly carried out. At the beginning of the Act there are a number of persons suffering from tuberculosis who will not be insured persons 765 not employed persons in the ordinary sense of the word—and therefore the number will steadily increase. I think the West Riding is fully carrying out its obligations.
Mr. CATHCART WASONIs it not possible to give patients sanatorium benefit in their own gardens, without putting up large buildings?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI know that is recommended by a great many experts. I dare say it is one of the methods which will be considered.
§ Mr. BOOTHWhat would have become of the 100 consumptive people in the West Hiding, who have received benefit, if the Act had been postponed?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not arise out of the right hon. Gentleman's answer.
§ 66. Mr. TOUCHEasked the President of the Local Government Board if, in view of the number of tuberculosis cases which are being treated in rate-aided institutions to which the Insurance Commissioners are not in a position to make a Grant in respect of maintenance, he can say whether any arrangement or legislation is contemplated with a view to relieving the rates of this expenditure?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)I have no announcement to make at the present, time on the subject of legislation of the character suggested.