§ 17. Mr Platts-Millsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the Report of the Departmental Joint Committee on Blindness in British Africa and Middle East Territories; whether he is aware that the incidence of blindness in the areas visited is about five or six times greater than in Britain; that the Committee considers up to 8o per cent. of blindness is easily preventable; and what steps is he taking to remedy this situation.
Mr. Creech JonesI am considering the recommendations contained in this Report, in consultation with the Colonial Governments concerned, to whom I am warmly commending it. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my personal appreciation of the assistance afforded to His Majesty's Government by the authors of this valuable Report, and by the National Institute for the Bind in its preparation.
§ Mr. Platts-MillsWhile the statement the Minister has made will, no doubt, be greeted with great satisfaction on all sides of the House, does he not appreciate that on this side of the House there is grave concern that such an appalling situation should have been allowed to develop in any country controlled from here?
Mr. Creech JonesFor a very long time I have been anxious about the problem of blindness in the Colonies. We are doing what we can to improve our medical services, and we give particular attention to this very trouble.