§ 12. Mr. JOHNasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information on health conditions in Grenada; what action has been taken on the report of the commission set up in December, 1932; whether housing conditions are adequate; what is the incidence of tuberculosis; whether there is any intention of providing a more hygienic consumption hospital; what is the state of nutrition of the school children; and why milk grants for children have been stopped?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERAs the reply is necessarily of considerable length, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is the reply:
Health conditions in Grenada are, so far as I am aware, generally speaking, satisfactory. The latest report avail- 1567 able shows that the death rate of 13.8 per 1,000 in 1932 was the lowest on record. In accordance with the recommendations of the 1932 Poor Relief Commission, the poor asylum buildings were enlarged, a casual ward was provided in the vicinity of the Government hospital, and the nurses' quarters at the asylum and its sanitary arrangements have been improved. My approval is being given to the adoption as from the 1st of January, 1935, of a simplified and more expeditious procedure for granting of poor relief.
In the case of housing conditions the information before me shows that there is still room for improvement in Grenada where conditions outside the towns have not altered materially in the past ten years, although in the town areas a considerable number of better-class houses have been erected in recent years. The possibility of providing funds to assist the St. George's Town Board in a scheme of slum clearance and the erection of 50 model houses is under consideration.
As regards the incidence of tuberculosis the latest figures available are as follows:—36 new cases were notified in the year and 46 deaths were notified. The erection of a new and improved tuberculosis hospital forms one of a number of recommendations made recently by a medical commission appointed to report to the Governor of the Windward Islands on the medical services there. The Acting Governor has yet to consider these recommendations. I can trace no information regarding any malnutrition in schools. The latest medical report available shows that as a result of school inspection 85 per cent. of the children were regarded as healthy. The results of medical inspection of schools are now entered in the school registers and a form sent to the district nurse giving the names of all children in the district needing treatment.
As regards the cessation of milk distribution, to which the hon. Member refers, a Government grant of £100 to the Maternity and Child Welfare League in Grenada was deleted from the Grenada Estimates in 1933, owing to financial stringency; but in 1934 this grant, some portion of which is understood to be applied to milk distribution, was substantially restored.