HC Deb 19 July 1938 vol 338 cc1993-4
65. Mr. David Adams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in view of the fact that the number of patients dealt with at Government institutions is only a small proportion of known cases of malaria, and that little is known of this disease and its cost in human life, whether he will consider setting up a central bureau for the collection and dissemination of information concerning the spread of, and loss from, tropical diseases within the Colonial Empire?

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)

One of the functions of the Bureau of Hygiene and Tropical Diseases is the collection and dissemination of information relating to tropical diseases. It would not appear necessary to set up a further body for the same purpose.

Mr. Adams

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me where I can get the information that I am seeking?

Mr. MacDonald

I think that if the hon. Member will address an inquiry to the Bureau of Hygiene and Tropical Diseases he will get all the information which is at their disposal.

66. Mr. Adams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many cases of malaria attended hospital in different parts of the Colonial Empire during the year 1935?

Mr. MacDonald

Information as to the numbers of sufferers from malaria who attended Government hospitals in the Colonial Dependencies in the year 1935 is given on page 5 of the November, 1937, Supplement to the Tropical Diseases Bulletin. I am arranging for a copy of this supplement to be placed in the Library of the House. It is explained in that Supplement that the figures given in it do not include the numbers of cases treated at other than Government institutions.

Mr. Adams

Does not the Minister think that information of this valuable character should always be placed annually at the disposal of Members in the Library?

Mr. MacDonald

I will take that suggestion into consideration.