§ Sir JOHN LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary under which Section of the National Insurance Act a Grant for the erection of sanatoria has been made to the Women's National Health Association; and if he will give the reference to any Section of the Act which empowers the Local Government Board to deal with private persons or associations in regard to the erection or provision of sanatoria or which prescribes regulations or conditions under which money may be paid to such persons?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Member to Section 64 (1) of the National Insurance Act, 1911. Save as regards the consent of the Treasury, no conditions are attached to the exercise of the discretion of the Local Government Board in distributing the Grant in aid of sanatoria under that Section.
§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what central authority, if any, in Ireland is responsible for the distribution of the capital sum of £145,000 provided for the erection of sanatoria, etc., in Ireland; whether that distribution has yet been made to local authorities; if so, on what basis; and is he in a position to state how many schemes have been so far prepared by local authorities and submitted to the central authority charged with the distribution of the Grant?
§ Mr. MASTERMANUnder Section 64 of the National Insurance Act the Grant is to be distributed by the Local Government Board for Ireland with the consent of the Treasury, and the Treasury before giving such consent is required to consult with the Insurance Commissioners. The matter is under consideration by the three Departments concerned, and the procedure proposed to be followed will be announced at an early date. I am not in a position to state how many schemes have already been prepared by local authorities and submitted to the Local Government Board.