§ 21. Mr. Llewellynasked the Minister of National Insurance whether she has considered the case of the late Mrs. Annie Corley, of Coventry, details of which have been sent her; and, in view of the report of the Home Office pathologist that her death was accelerated by starvation, exposure and neglect, what steps she will take to prevent the recurrence of such cases.
§ Dr. SummerskillThis tragedy might have been averted if Mrs. Corley had applied to the National Assistance Board for help. Every effort is made to inform the public about the assistance service. The address of the Board's local office is shown in every Post Office and posters are put up in our offices and in Employment Exchanges.
Anyone in need of assistance can apply for it either in person at the nearest local office of the Board, or by post on a simple form obtainable at any Post Office, and such applications are always dealt with as urgently as necessary. I hope this Question and answer will help to make the existence of the service still more widely known.
§ Mr. LlewellynWould the Minister consider arranging a series of broadcasts so that the full provision of the social services may be known to the general public?
§ Dr. SummerskillAs I have explained to the hon. Gentleman, we are making every effort to make this widely known, but we are doing something else which I should have mentioned, and that is including information about the Assistance 168 Board in the books of the pensioners in the future.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanHas my right hon. Friend formed any estimate of the number of persons whose death was accelerated by starvation, exposure and neglect between 1920–1940?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is another question.