HC Deb 11 July 1924 vol 175 cc2628-9
3. Mr. E. BROWN

asked the Minister of Health the number of isolation hospitals in agricultural parishes and where they are situated.

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Arthur Greenwood)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on the 9th instant to his questions on the subject of the proposed additional subsidy for houses built in agricultural parishes.

Mr. BROWN

Can the hon. Member give me any guidance as to where I can obtain this information, as it is very vital to a great many rural parishes under the Housing Bill?

Mr. GREENWOOD

It is almost impossible to do so. This is a matter which must be dealt with in debate.

Mr. BROWN

Why cannot the Department concerned with hospitals give an hon. Member of this House information which is so vital to the housing problem? I must press for an answer to my question.

4. The Hon. Member further asked the Minister of Health the number of sanatoria for tubercular diseases in agricultural parishes and where they are situated?

Mr. GREENWOOD

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on the 9th instant to his questions on the subject of the proposed additional subsidy for houses built in agricultural parishes.

Mr. BROWN

These questions are really of great importance to the rural parishes of this country. Hundreds of which will be cut out of the new Housing Bill because these institutions happen to be situated in those particular parishes. I have repeatedly asked for this information, and I do not know where to get it without studying the whole of the directories of England, and a Member of Parliament has no time to do that. Can the Parliamentary Secre- tary not give an hon. Member who is trying to do duty to his constituency an answer to a reasonable question of this kind?

Mr. SPEAKER

I have no power to compel the Minister to answer this question.

Mr. BROWN

Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary is prepared to see the particular Clause dealing with this question held up when the Bill comes before the House.