§ 33. Mr. LARDNERasked what arrangements or contracts have been entered into in Ireland by the several county councils for the provision of sanatorium benefit under the National Insurance Act; how many county councils propose to provide sanatorium benefit under their own scheme; how many county councils have entered into or propose to enter into contracts with independent organisations for the provision of the benefit; will he state whether the Irish Local Government Board have had their arrangements or contracts under consideration; and, if so, what their decision has been in the various cases, and with what organisations contracts have been or are proposed to be entered into?
§ Mr. BIRRELLOf the thirty-nine county and county borough councils in Ireland sixteen so far are making their own arrangements for the treatment of tuberculosis, three have handed over the administration of their share of the Grant to voluntary associations, while six are keeping the arrangements in their own hands, but are contracting with voluntary associations. The remaining fourteen councils have the subject still under consideration. The Local Government Board are in communication with the Treasury as to the principle which shall be adopted in regard to the allocation of the Irish share of the Sanatorium Grant, and until the amount available from this source for each county area can be definitely 1351 ascertained, the councils will not be in a position to consider the final features of their respective schemes.
§ 73. Sir J. LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if, before assenting to the Grant to Lady Aberdeen for the purchase of the Peamount estate for the purpose of a sanatorium, the Local Government Board satisfied themselves by expert investigation that the place is in every way suitable for the treatment of consumptives; if he is aware that the residents in the neighbourhood of Lucan are strongly opposed to the placing of a sanatorium in their midst, and if their objections are to be overridden; if he has received a resolution of protest from the magistrates of the Celbridge Petty Sessions district, and what reply has been sent; and if he will explain how it was that the joint board managing the Crooks-ling Sanatorium, only a few miles distant from Peamount and occupying a much better site, were not invited by the Local Government Board to make provision for counties needing a sanatorium before a Grant was made to a private association which is not under any legal liability to maintain sanatoria when erected?
§ Mr. BIRRELLPeamount had been cerfied by several experts as entirely suitable for a sanatorium before any money was granted for its purchase. It stands in its own grounds of 120 acres, and the nearest neighbours live from half to three-quarters of a mile away. These people have written to the newspapers repudiating the objections made by some of the residents in the district, who have expressed fears which are entirely at variance with the best medical opinion. The resolution of the Celbridge magistrates has been received by the Local Government Board, but no reply has yet been sent to it by the Board. The purchase of Peamount was sanctioned to meet conditions of great urgency, both the Treasury and the Insurance Commissioners being anxious that sanatorium accommodation should be available as soon as possible after the appointed day. This need could not have been met in time by opening negotiations with the managers of Crooksling Asylum, nor was it the duty of the Local Government Board to do so. Peamount is held by trustees for the purposes of the Insurance Act, and the cost of its maintenance will be met by contributions from the Insurance Committees who use it.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEIs it not a fact that this Grant to Lady Aberdeen's association was made in opposition to expert official advice?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir, I am sure it was not so.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEWill the right hon. Gentleman say why priority of treatment was given to Lady Aberdeen's Association, seeing that the principles on which the sanatorium Grant is to be distributed have not even yet been decided?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIt was thought to be of the utmost importance as soon as the appointed day arrived that there should be provision at once available for persons suffering from this disease. It was not a question of standing upon technicalities.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEWhy is it that the arrangement with regard to the counties as to the provision of accommodation is different?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe counties are in a different position. They have to see what accommodation will be required. We are all anxious that the counties should have every assistance in making their own provision as soon as possible. The great thing is that those counties who wish it may use the association's accommodation at once. Those counties which avail themselves of the benefit of it will have the amount charged against their share of the capital sum.
§ 16. Sir J. LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the amount which the county of Armagh is entitled to receive on the basis of population from the Grant for the erection of sanatoria, etc.; and to what extent that amount has been affected by the Grant sanctioned for the sanatorium at Peamount, Dublin?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIf the whole of the Irish share were distributed between county areas in proportion to population, the share of the county of Armagh would be £3,958. With regard to the remainder of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for North Belfast yesterday.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEIs it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman, having been induced to consent to a Grant of £25,000 to the National Women's Health Association, meant that the share to every county 1353 in Ireland would be proportionately reduced?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir, the Health Association is simply acting as the agent of such counties as have asked for its services. There is no question of affecting the Grant in any detrimental respect whatever.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEDo I understand that each county in Ireland will have to take the initiative before any Grant is made in connection with sanatoria?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am happy to say that most of them are taking the initiative. All that has been done is to allot £25,000 to the National Women's Health Association— I do not know why the hon. Gentleman should call it Lady Aberdeen's Association—in order to enable provision to be made at once for the work. Those counties which choose to avail themselves of the arrangement to send their patients to this association will be debited with the charge therefor.
§ Mr. LARDNERWill the right hon. Gentleman circulate a statement of the principles on which the Treasury propose to distribute this Grant?
§ Mr. BIRRELLYes, I will.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether the county councils have taken any opportunity of assuring themselves of the responsibility of these various voluntary associations in reference to sanatoria?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe county councils, I am sure, would not avail themselves of the services of the voluntary associations unless they had taken these precautions.
§ Sir J. LONSDALECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any portion of this money has been granted by the county councils to the Ancient Order of Hibernians?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am sure I do not know.
§ Mr. LARDNERHas any application for a Grant been received from the Orange Society?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI do not know.