Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will direct the National Insurance Commissioners to take immediate steps to provide sanatorium treatment for Mr. E. Branston, of 37, Wimpole Road, Colchester, who has been refused treatment in a sanatorium by the Essex Insurance Committee because no bed is available; whether, in view of the following facts, namely, that Branston applied for treatment in August last, was recommended by the medical officer as a particularly suitable case, that his doctor now reports that he is rapidly getting worse, and that his chance of a cure, which has hitherto been good, is rapidly getting less, exceptional 2493W efforts will be made and whether a vacant bed in another county can be put at his disposal; and whether, in view of the fact that nineteen other applicants for treatment in sanatoria are waiting owing to the want of available beds, assistance can be given to the Essex Insurance Committee in other urgent cases also?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Essex Insurance Committee have already a number of beds in use and are negotiating for further accommodation. I am informed that the Insurance Committee have been making arrangements with regard to the particular case mentioned in the question, and hope that the necessary accommodation will be provided by the end of this week.