§ 36. Brigadier Medlicottasked the Minister of Health if, in view of the fact that there are understood to be between 697 two and three million sufferers from rheumatism in its various forms in the United Kingdom, of whom a large proportion are dwellers in the country, he will give greater priority to research into the causes of the disease, and to the treatment and rehabilitation of rheumatic cases.
§ Mr. MarquandI am very much alive to the importance of this problem. Special research and treatment centres for chronic rheumatism have already been set up in many of the hospital regions, and this will be developed as fast as medical and other resources allow.
§ Brigadier MedlicottIs the Minister aware that this painful complaint, which is responsible for the loss of a great number of working hours, appears to be on the increase, and will he do all he possibly can to keep pace with this problem?
§ Mr. MarquandI should require notice to answer whether or not it is on the increase; but we certainly intend to continue to develop research in this field.