§ 39. Mr. LOUGHasked the President of the Local Government Board whether a draft scheme for the establishment of a dispensary for the treatment of persons suffering from tuberculosis was submitted by the public health committee of the Metropolitan borough of Islington to the Local Government Board in the early part of May, and, if so, what action, if any, has been taken by the Board upon it; and whether he is aware that inconvenience is being caused to the local heath authority of Islington by reason of the 787 delay in obtaining the Board's sanction to a scheme prepared in the interest of the public health of Islington?
§ Mr. BURNSThe facts are as stated in the first part of the question. The Local Government Board have invited the observations of the London County Council on the proposals contained in the draft scheme and they have also communicated with the Insurance Commissioners in the matter. I regret that inconvenience should be caused to the borough council by any delay in coming to a decision upon their proposals, and the Board will communicate with the borough council as soon as they receive a reply to the letters which they have addressed to the Insurance Commissioners and the county council.
§ Mr. LOUGHWill the right hon. Gentleman try and spur up these other bodies to exercise their duty?
§ 40. Mr. LOUGHasked the President of the Local Government Board whether correspondence took place between the Local Government Board and the London County Council between 19th October and 11th December, 1912, as to the latter authority acting as the central organising body for the provision of institutional treatment for persons suffering from tuberculosis in the administrative county of London; whether any definite reply has yet been received by the Board from the council as to the suggestions made by the Board above referred to; and, if not, whether, having regard to the time which has already elapsed, he will now endeavour to obtain a speedy reply from the council and again point out to it the importance of this question to the public health of London?
§ Mr. BURNSThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board were informed on 13th February last that the London County Council had instructed its Public Health Committee to prepare a scheme for dealing with tuberculosis for the consideration of the council, and I understand that a scheme is now in preparation. My right hon. Friend will no doubt agree that, having regard to the complexity and magnitude of the problem of properly organising the arrangements for London and supplementing them where necessary, 788 ample time should be allowed for careful consideration of the question. I may add that at present several hundred beds are being used for the treatment of London cases, and that tuberculosis dispensaries have already been established in many parts of the Metropolis.