§ 13. Mr. ANDERSONasked the President of the Local Government Board whether the rate of infantile mortality in London and some other towns is causing anxiety to those concerned with local administration; whether he has received any communication recently on this matter from the London County Council; and what steps, if any, the Local Government Board are taking to enforce thorough and comprehensive schemes for child and maternity welfare?
§ Mr. LONGI am glad to say that the number of infant deaths in London and the large towns is lower this year than the average of the five preceding years, and the infantile death rate for London itself for the first quarter of 1916 was lower than that of the corresponding quarter duuring each of the last ten years. My attention has been drawn to a resolution which was to be moved at the last meeting of the London County Council on this subject, but I have not yet received any communication from them. My Department are taking active steps, and with much success, to induce local authorities to adopt and carry out comprehensive schemes for maternity and child welfare. Such schemes are now in working in nearly all the large towns, and throughout a number of counties.
§ Mr. W. THORNEHas the right hon. Gentleman read the report of Dr. Newsholme, Medical Adviser to the Local Government Board, in which it is stated that out of 800,000 babies born 114,000 die in the first year? Does he not think it time to put the Notification of Births Act into full operation, making it compulsory?
§ Mr. LONGThat action has already been taken. It was because of the facts revealed in that report that action was taken.
§ Mr. THORNEIs it compulsory in all parts of the country?