§ 22. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of cases of tuberculosis reported for the first four months of this year as compared with the corresponding period of 1939; whether he will give separate figures for Wales, and what steps are being taken to prevent an increase?
§ Mr. E. BrownProvisional figures show that during the first 16 weeks of this year the number of cases notified as tuberculosis (but not all necessarily confirmed as such) was 15,525 in England and 1,193 in Wales. The corresponding figures for the first 16 weeks of 1939 were 15,120 and 1,244 respectively. In answer to the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his similar Question on 12th February last. I understand that an interim report on the investigation by the Medical Research Council to which I then alluded may be expected in the near future.
§ Mr. GriffithsWhat steps are being taken to deal with the growing list of people waiting for admission to sanatoria in various parts of the country?
§ Mr. BrownWe have released more beds, and we are taking urgent steps to deal with the shortage of staff in certain areas, which is really the key of the problem.