§ 88. Mr. BRIANTasked the Minister of Health if any steps are being taken to make further investigation, if this is necessary, into the results obtained in the cure of phthisis by the Spahlinger treatment; and, in view of the importance of the question to the health of the community, if Government assistance will be given in order to make it available to the large number of persons suffering from this disease?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend has offered to send competent medical inspectors to study M. Spahlinger's work at Geneva, and to facilitate scientific investigation in this country if M. Spahlinger will supply his materials and method of use, but up to the present neither invitation has been accepted. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
Dr. VERNON DAVIESIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that Spahlinger had not the money to carry out these experiments?
§ Sir K. WOODThat may be so, but directly we receive the necessary information and materials here we shall be glad to go further into the matter.
§ Mr. MARDY JONESHas not the Ministry of Health a certain amount of discretionary power to assist financially; and is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that a very large number of trade unions have already contributed substantially to try to make this treatment a success?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir; I think the right course has been taken in this case, and that is to offer to send our officers to Geneva to study these cases; or, on the other hand, that this gentleman should send the material here, and it will be gladly investigated.
§ Mr. CLYNESCan the hon. Gentleman say whether those offers of investigation have been made quite recently?
§ Sir K. WOODYes, I think I can say they have been made repeatedly during the last three years.
§ Sir K. WOODApparently the hon. Member did not catch my reply. My right hon. Friend has offered to send competent medical officers to inquire into this matter, but the invitation has not yet been accepted.