CHILD'S DEATH (CHESTER-LE-STREET).

HC Deb 19 April 1928 vol 216 cc343-5

18. Mr. LAWSON

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the death in hospital of a child six years of age named Mary Race, of Chester-le-Street, when the doctor stated, at a meeting of the joint hospital board on 10th April, that the child was debilitated and emaciated and had no resisting power to the disease from which it was suffering, and that it had not the ordinary strength of a child of its years; if he is aware that the appointed guardians of Chester-le-Street have been granting £1 a week relief for the maintenance of Mrs. Race and her four children, the father being unemployed and receiving neither benefit nor relief; and whether, in view of the doctor's statement, he has caused investigation to be made into the connection between the death of this child and the failure of the appointed guardians to grant adequate relief?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I am aware of this case and of the allegation made as to the child's condition. My present information does not support the view that there is any connection between the death of the child and the amount of relief given in respect of it, but I propose to make further inquiry as soon as I have received the report of which the hon. Member has promised me a copy.

Mr. LAWSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the deputation appointed by the Joint Hospital Board has investigated this case and has discovered that there is real distress in the house, in which a mother, four children and a father, who served as a soldier for four and a-half years, live?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

When I get a copy of the report which the hon. Member is going to let me have I will go into the matter further.

Mr. BATEY

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that 20s. a week is a reasonable amount for an ex-service man, his wife and four children?

Mr. LAWSON

Do I understand from the answer that the right hon. Gentleman is having an independent investigation made?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I am waiting for the report which the hon. Member is going to send me.

Mr. LAWSON

May I ask whether it is not the case that I said I would give him the report if he desired it?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I understand the hon. Member is going to give me a report.

Mr. BATEY

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to approach these appointed guardians and ask them to change their policy and give more than 20s. a week to an ex-service man, his wife and four children?