§ 47. Mr. HERBERT SAMUELasked whether the Government propose to introduce before the Adjournment a Bill for the establishment of a Ministry of Health?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Committee of Home Affairs have made good progress with the consideration of the Bill, and 1804 hope shortly to get their proposals into shape, but it is not yet possible to say whether the Bill can be introduced before the Adjournment.
§ Mr. WATTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that such a Bill will not be an incontentious measure in this House?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIf it is introduced, I hope that it will be a non-contentious measure.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLIs there to be any limitation to the size and the number of Departments that are created, which will create fresh offices in the House of Commons?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIs it not a matter of opinion?
§ 52. Captain SHEEHANasked whether it is intended that Ireland shall be brought within the scope of the measure setting up a Ministry of Health in this country?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThis is not at present proposed, but any suggestion which may be made by Irish Members on the subject will, of course, receive consideration.
Mr. NUGENTHas any effort been made to ascertain what is the opinion in Ireland in reference to this question?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs far as I know no effort has been made. As a rule Irish Members do not require any effort to be made for us to find out what they want.
Mr. NUGENTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Insurance Commissioners have already had communications on this matter, and has any effort been made to elicit the opinion of the people at all?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am not aware of the fact.
§ Mr. FLAVINWould not the provision of housing accommodation in Ireland do much more to benefit the health of the people than the establishment of a Ministry of Health?