HC Deb 30 November 1943 vol 395 cc189-91
39. Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the rate of infant mortality among the poorer classes has, according to recent medical-statistics, been since the last war the highest in the civilised world; and what steps he is taking to remove this disgrace from the social life of the country?

Mr. Johnston

According to the latest information available to me, the Scottish figures, bad as they are, are not the highest even among the nations of Western Europe. The causes of the variations in these infant mortality figures are not always apparent, but a Report on the subject by a Committee under Sir John Orr's chairmanship, set up at my request by the Scottish Scientific Advisory Committee in June, 1942, will shortly be published.

Mr. Gallacher

In view of the very serious character of the situation in Glasgow and throughout Scotland as a whole, and the difficulty that is being experienced in dealing with the growth of infant mortality and disease generally, will the Minister not consider calling a meeting of Scottish Members and representatives of the local authorities to discuss this very serious question of health?

Mr. Johnston

That is one of the considerations to which I have been giving attention, but it is obvious, as the hon. Member will find when he reads the Orr Report, that there are many causes contributing to these alarming figures.

Dr. Edith Summerskill

Will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this Question is accurate so far as it relates to children under one month old?

Mr. Johnston

I could not say that without notice. That is not the Question on the Paper.

40. Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the child death rate in Glasgow is higher than it is in Tokyo; and what immediate plans he has for the rehousing and rehabilitation of the workers in the Glasgow area in order to save the lives of the children on whose survival the prosperity of Scotland depends?

Mr. Johnston

Figures for 1936 relating to the cities of Glasgow and Tokyo are to the effect stated. But the official statistics published by the League of Nations show that, for the five year period 1934–38, the infant mortality rate for the whole of Japan was half as high again as for Scotland. As for the second parts of the Question, bad housing is not the sole cause of a high infant mortality. Regarding the immediate provision of more housing beyond that already under construction, I am afraid I can add nothing to the explanation given to my hon. Friend on 11th November by the Prime Minister.

Mr. Kirkwood

Arising from that reply, in which the Secretary of State for Scotland does not deny the statement made in the "British Medical Journal" that the death-rate among children in Glasgow is worse than in Tokyo, may I ask what steps he is going to take to remove this terrible and disgraceful situation in the West of Scotland?

Mr. Johnston

As I have already indicated, the figures for one year are as stated in the Question, but over five years the figures for Tokyo are 50 per cent. worse than in Glasgow. The steps we are taking to deal with this matter are, first, to find out what are the deficiencies in the way of homes, housing and so on—to find out what were the causes of it. The Orr Committee was set up for this purpose, and the Report is now in hand and I expect it will be published.

Dr. Summerskill

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Question, again, is accurate if it relates to children under a month old? I believe that is what the "British Medical Journal" referred to. Is he aware that the admission he has made is a reflection on the public health services of the whole country?

Mr. Johnston

I do not admit that at all. I have said that the figures are those which the League of Nations have supplied, and I have said that over a five years' period the Tokyo figures are 50 per cent. worse.

Mr. McNeil

Does the right hon. Gentleman take consolation from that fact?

Mr. Johnston

No, I take no consolation from it. That is a quite unworthy Supplementary Question. I am doing my best to give an accurrate statement of the facts.

Miss Rathbone

Is this Question likely to be helpful to Japanese propagandists, who may take note of the form of the Question rather than of the substance of the reply?

Mr. Gallacher

Does the fact that in one year, as the right hon. Gentleman admits, the rate was higher in Glasgow than in Tokyo mean that in Tokyo they had taken measures to reduce the death-rate, or that the Glasgow authorities had failed to stop a great increase in the death rate?

Mr. Johnston

I have no information of what happened in Tokyo. The figures were supplied by the League of Nations, and I have given them.

Mr. Kirkwood

May we take it that the right hon. Gentleman is going to move heaven and earth to remove this evil from the West of Scotland?

Mr. Johnston

We are already taking every possible step within our power.