§ 72. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the East Midland Joint Disablement Committee have 1,282 cases of demobilised soldiers suffering from tuberculosis in their area and whether, in order to provide concurrent training and treatment on the colony system for these men, they applied in October, 1918, to the Pensions Ministry and later to the Local Government Board for financial assistance, but can get no more satisfactory reply than that both Departments are discussing with each other the question of the treatment of tuberculous discharged men?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Dr. Addison)I have no recent information as to the total number of demobilised soldiers suffering from tuberculosis in the particular area referred to in the question, but I may say that the number of such cases in residential institutions on the 1st July was 183, and the number on the waiting list was twenty-four. The proposal to provide a colony for the concurrent training and treatment of tuberculous men in this area was first brought to the notice of my Department at the end of May, when that particular subject of colony treatment had already been specially referred to the Departmental Committee set up by the Minister of Pensions and myself. Their Report will, it is hoped, be issued very shortly; and I will then see that suitable steps are taken as soon as possible.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKWill adequate and immediate steps be taken to carry out the recommendations of the Committee?
§ Dr. ADDISONI must see what the recommendations are first.