§ 60. Mr. L. SMITHasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stockton-on-Tees that the average death-rate of a population transferred from slum areas to new hygienic conditions showed an increase; and whether his Department possesses information substantiating this conclusion or the reverse?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThis report has been fully considered and as promised in his reply of the 11th May to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson) my right hon. Friend has caused inquiries to be made in other areas. These inquiries tend to show that the conditions reported in Stockton-on-Tees are exceptional. The experience in other towns where inquiries have been made shows that slum clearance and re-housing are normally associated with a substantial improvement in health, particularly in the case of children.
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREI will consider that.