HC Deb 21 February 1952 vol 496 c414
10. Brigadier R. Medlicott

asked the Minister of Health how many persons in the United Kingdom suffering from tuberculosis are now waiting to enter sanatoria.

Mr. Crookshank

Provisional figures show that the number in England and Wales at 31st December, 1951, was about 8,200.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how this compares with the figures for a year ago?

Mr. Crookshank

I am glad to say it is a considerable improvement. A year ago the corresponding number was about 10,000.

Mr. J. A. Sparks

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that the Government's restriction of capital development will not apply to hospital development and thereby restrict still further the accommodation available for tuberculosis cases?

Mr. Crookshank

I could not go into detail, in reply to this Question, as to what may be the result of the capital investment programme.

Mr. Percy Shurmer

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider increasing the number of patients sent to Switzerland in view of the accommodation available there and the low cost at which it is made available?

Mr. Crookshank

That is another question. I should like to answer it if it is put on the Order Paper.