37. Dr. Russell Thomasasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the number of cases of non-pulmonary tuberculosis notified in Wales in 1940 and 1941 was 388 and 389, respectively, in children under 11 years of age, as compared with an average of about 345 in the years 1933 to 1939, he will give the increase in the population of Wales of children under 11 years of age in 1940 and 1941 as the result of evacuation from the large towns and cities?
§ Mr. E. BrownEstimates prepared by the Registrar-General suggest that the number of children under 11 years of age in Wales was about 7 per cent. higher in 1940 than the corresponding number before the war. I am unable to say to what extent this increase was due to evacuation from the large towns. Information for 1941 is not yet available.
Dr. ThomasIn view of the increase in the child population in Wales will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that when he gives figures such as those embodied in my Question, as he did to the hon. Member for Neath (Sir W. Jenkins) on 17th February, in a written answer, he should refer to this vital factor of the increase of child population, otherwise his figures are simply misleading and useless?
§ Mr. BrownI can only answer the Questions put to me, and that I do, but my hon. Friend sometimes draws deductions which are not warranted by the terms of the Questions put to me.