§ 30. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Minister of Health, having regard to the high mortality rate from tuberculosis in Wales, what steps he proposes to take to deal with the problem; in particular, what progress is being made with proposals for rural re-housing; and whether these plans can be expedited in view of the gravity of the problem?
§ Sir K. WoodAlthough the rate of mortality from tuberculosis in Wales is higher than in England and Wales as a whole, I may remind the hon. Member that there has been a substantial decline in the rates in Wales as well as in the rest of the country, this decline amounting to 38 per cent. on the figures for 1935 as compared with 191o. In Wales, the arrangements for the treatment of tuberculosis are made by the Welsh National Memorial Association on behalf of the Welsh county and county borough councils, and a survey of the services provided by the association is at present being undertaken by one of the medical officers of the Welsh Board of Health. I am awaiting the results of this survey before considering what further measures are required. As regards the second part of the question, the position is that 4,300 houses are included in the slum clearance programmes of the Welsh rural authorities and that 1,339 replacement houses 419 have been approved, of which over 700 have been completed. A further 386 houses have been approved for the abatement of overcrowding and for general needs. My Department is continually watching the progress of the clearance programme with a view to expediting it where possible.