§ 34. Mr. E. Dunnasked the Minister of Health what measures he proposes to adopt, if any, to combat the growing menace to health caused by rheumatism; the number of insured persons chargeable to the insurance fund for the years 1934, 1935, and 1936; what has been the cost, and the number of working days lost, due to this disease?
§ Sir K. WoodTreatment for this varied and complex group of diseases is available in most of the voluntary general hospitals and the general hospitals owned by local authorities, and there are a number of institutions which specialise in the treatment of certain rheumatic diseases. I shall continue to give careful consideration to this matter but at present, I do not propose to introduce any special schemes which would supersede the progressive and increasing provision now being made to combat and study the disease and with which my medical advisers are in close association. I regret that the information asked for in the 551 last two parts of the question is not available.
§ Mr. TurtonIs the Minister not aware that mead, the effective palliative, is being taxed out of existence?