§ 63. Mr. KENNEDYasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to discussions at a meeting of the Lancashire Public Assistance Committee on Monday last at Preston, which indicated an alarming increase of mental trouble requiring public treatment among cotton workers, to which special attention was drawn in the report of a commissioner of the board of control; whether he is aware that the report of the commissioner attributes the increase of 2419 mental trouble to malnutrition, unemployment, and the operation of the means test; and if he proposes to take any action?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare)My right hon. Friend has been informed of the discussions referred to by the right hon. Gentleman and he has read the commissioner's report. There is nothing in the report to the effect suggested in the second part of the question. The third part of the question does not, therefore, arise.