§ 43. Mr. Gowerasked the Minister of Health why information and statistics about tuberculosis and its incidence in Wales, which were collated by the Welsh Board of Health and published by his Department before the last war, are no longer available; if he will arrange for such information to be published in the same way as formerly; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodSeparate information and statistics about tuberculosis in Wales continue to be available, but, like other general information relating to the health services, they are not separated when published in the Ministry's Annual Report for England and Wales. I will certainly consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.
§ Mr. GowerWill my right hon. Friend seriously consider this matter? Is he aware that the Welsh Tuberculosis Campaign Committee is sadly handicapped in its work by the lack of information which was formerly available?
§ Mr. MacleodI will certainly consider it. It will, of course, add greatly to the length of the Report to give the information in the terms suggested. My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary has said that there is to be an annual digest of Welsh statistics, and it may well be that it can find a useful place in that.
§ Mr. G. ThomasIs the Minister aware that these figures were published before the war, and in any digest to be published will he give the figures of those who have 571 to pay for their medicine although suffering from T.B., because they would be new figures?
§ Mr. MacleodI am not sure that that particular division is a feasible one, but I will certainly consider this matter and see how best the information may be given.