§ 6. Mr. KINGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many children under the age of one year, of or over the age of one year and under the age of two years, of or over the age of two years and under the age of three years, respectively, died in Ireland during the six months immediately preceding 1st April, 1915; and what were the numbers of such children so dying during the corresponding periods 1913–14, 1912–13, and 1911–12?
§ Mr. BIRRELLWith the hon. Member's permission, I will publish a statement in to-night's Votes. [See Written Answers this date.]
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir, it does not, except during the last three months, when there has been a tendency to increase.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that through the English Board of Education and the Local Government Board Grants are made to societies for the protection of infantile life, and will he try to secure for Ireland similar Grants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLCertainly. Whatever England can get, I will try to get for Ireland.
§ 38. Mr. ANDERSONasked the President of the Local Government Board whether the increase in the rate in infantile mortality is partly or largely due to the shortage of doctors and nurses, the increased industrial employment of working women, and the absence of suitable agencies and centres for child welfare; whether he will arrange, in addition to the promised legislation, to utilise the services of some proportion of the 80,000 women who have enrolled themselves for national work, with a view to establishing centres for the care of infants and so mitigating an evil which the country cannot afford at any time, least of all at present?
§ Mr. LONGI am advised that the recent increase in mortality amongst young children has been mainly due to measles and its sequelæ. I am hoping to introduce a Bill very shortly to facilitate the establishment of centres for the care of mothers and infants.