§ 73. Mr. ANDERSONasked the President of the Local Government Board the names of the insurance companies which oppose the passing of legislation to reduce the mortality among children; and, in view of the estimate of his predecessor that the lives of 52,000 children could be saved every year by such legislation, whether he intends to proceed with it in the present Session?
Mr. FISHERIn the reply which I gave to the hon. Member's question on Monday I indicated that my Department has for some time been anxious to secure for local authorities in England and Wales the same powers in regard to maternity and infant welfare work as are already possessed by local authorities in Scotland and Ireland, but that owing to opposition from insurance organisations the legislation has hitherto been delayed. The opposition to this Bill emanates from a body who have described themselves as representing the various types of approved societies and the insurance committees of England and Wales. I am not in a position to give the names of any individual insurance companies, neither do I know them.
§ Mr. J. H. THOMASIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the majority of these societies are the trade unions and friendly societies who are anxious for the establishment of a Ministry of Health with a view to dealing with this question, 387 and that they are experiencing difficulties from the Department with which the right hon. Gentleman is connected?
Mr. FISHERNo, Sir; they are experiencing no difficulty whatever from the Department of which I am President. These societies are opposing this particular Bill because they desire to deal with the larger question of a Ministry of Public Health. On the other hand, my Department urges that we should use the powers which we have or which we could easily have in our possession, and that will not in any way prejudice the ultimate consideration of the larger question of the Ministry of Health.
§ Mr. THOMASIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is felt it will prejudice it, and that the trade unions and friendly societies are opposed to maternity being handed over to what are nothing more than Poor Law associations?
Mr. FISHERIt is a matter of opinion as to whether the settlement of the smaller question would prejudice the settlement of the larger question. Our opinion is that the authorities in England and Wales ought to be possessed of the same powers now possessed by the local authorities in Scotland and Ireland. If they were possessed of those powers they could make rapid and vigorous use of them, and if they were to make rapid and vigorous use of them it would largely reduce the rate of mortality.
§ Mr. ANDERSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman see any chance of agreement on this question, seeing that while the quarrel goes on 50,000 children are being killed every year?