42. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Secretary for Scotland what is the present amount of accommodation in Scotland for institutional treatment for all classes of tuberculous persons, including soldiers, sailors, discharged soldiers and sailors, and other civilians; what is the total number of cases awaiting institutional treatment for Scotland as a whole and for Glasgow; whether the duration of the period of treatment is limited by the amount of accommodation available; and whether, instead of supplying increased accommodation for cases due to war service, the already inadequate accommodation for the civilian population is being further restricted in order to provide for such cases?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Clyde)Institutions have been approved by the Local Government Board for Scotland, containing 2,570 beds for the treatment of cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. In addition, there are some institutions approved for the treatment of cases of non-pulmonary tuberculosis, out a specific number of beds is not set apart for this purpose. The Local Government Board have no information as to the total number of cases awaiting institutional treatment for Scotland as a whole, but as regards Glasgow, inquiries which the Board had occasion to make in April showed that on 1st March nearly 400 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were receiving institutional treatment. The Board have no information at present to warrant them in expressing any opinion as to whether the duration of the period of treatment is limited by the amount of accommodation available. The Board are aware that accommodation provided by local authorities for the treatment of cases of tuberculosis has been taken over for other purposes, and they have been in conference with the Scottish Insurance Commissioners on the subject, and are about to institute an inquiry into the whole question of the sufficiency of the existing accommodation for tuberculosis cases, having regard to the number of such cases and the need for treatment.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the fact that the provision which was being made at Robroyston for treatment of tuberculosis cases has now been taken over by the military authorities for the treatment of venereal disease?
§ Mr. CLYDEThere was no treatment at Robroyston. In any case, the fact that some institutions have been taken over for various purposes was referred to in the answer and is fully in our view.
§ Mr. FLAVINHas any Government Department or has the medical profession yet discovered any actual remedy or cure for consumption other than the open-air treatment?