HC Deb 11 May 1939 vol 347 cc662-5
20. Mr. Jenkins

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to fix the date on which the conference of local authorities of Wales and Monmouthshire is to be held to deal with the report of the Committee on the Anti-Tuberculosis Services in Wales?

The Minister of Health (Mr. Elliot)

No, Sir. I am naturally anxious that this conference should take place as soon as possible, but I do not think that it would be expedient for it to be held before the individual local authorities have had full opportunity of considering the issues raised in the report. Meanwhile I am proceeding with interviews and correspondence with individual authorities.

Mr. Jenkins

Can the Minister indicate at what date he thinks it will be possible to convene this conference, in view of the great urgency of the matter?

Mr. Elliot

I am not waiting for the conclusion of the conference before taking steps. I am proceeding to do so in advance of the conference. Naturally, I am anxious that the local authorities should have a full opportunity of being able to submit their considered views at the conference when it takes place. I am not in a position to give the date when it will take place.

38. Captain Arthur Evans

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make any statement as regards action he proposes to take to give effect to the recommendations of the recent Committee of Inquiry into the Anti-Tuberculosis Service in Wales and Mon-mouthshire?

Mr. Elliot

Yes, Sir. The report drew attention to the high incidence of tuberculosis in Wales and pointed out that the ratio of beds to cases is lower in Wales than in England. It is clearly desirable that all practicable steps should be taken to reduce infection arising from contact with active cases. The first step in this direction must be to reduce the long list of waiting cases which now exists, particularly in South Wales. I am accordingly arranging for the immediate construction in South Wales, under the emergency hospital arrangements, of a new hutted hospital of some 600 beds which will be made available in peace time to the Welsh National Memorial Association on favourable terms. The provision on similar terms of some 200 beds in hutments attached to an institution in North Wales is also proposed, and arrangements for Central Wales, possibly in the Shrewsbury area, are under consideration. I hope that this new accommodation will be available for the treatment of tuberculosis within the present year. This would be without prejudice to the plans now under consideration by the Welsh National Memorial Association. In addition, I have, starting from this week, detailed three of my housing inspectors to undertake a careful survey of the rural counties of Wales and to discuss with the local authorities concerned the best methods of solving their housing problems. I am also in conference with the authorities concerned on other aspects of the committee's recommendations.

Captain Evans

May I ask whether in the next few days my right hon. Friend will take note of the great satisfaction afforded by his prompt and sympathetic action?

Major Leighton

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how long Shrewsbury has been in Wales?

Mr. Elliot

I have never for a moment been under the misapprehension that Shrewsbury is in Wales. I was explaining the arrangements for Central Wales which are under consideration, and said that those arrangements might well be made in the Shrewsbury area.

Mr. Jenkins

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the sites of these hutments in South Wales have been decided upon, and, if so, whether they have been selected in consultation with the Welsh National Memorial Association?

Mr. Elliot

I am, of course, in close consultation with the Welsh National Memorial Association and also with the medical officers of health of the counties concerned, but the actual sites have not so far been decided upon.

Mr. James Griffiths

Regarding what the Minister said about surveys of housing conditions in rural areas, is he not aware that what is needed is not another survey, but action?

Mr. Elliot

I thoroughly agree, and that is why I have said that I am to discuss with the local authorities the best means of solving their housing problems, and action is very badly needed indeed.