§ Lord BALCARRESasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Mr. William Watkinson, of Appley Bridge, 466W Wigan, who was medically recommended for sanatorium benefit in July last, was only able to obtain a vacancy in the Liverpool sanatorium, Kingswood, on 28th September, and only then without the assistance of the county authority; and that Mr. Watkinson has applied to the county-medical officer of health for compensation from that date, but that compensation has been refused him prior to 12th October; whether he can say under what authority this has been done; and if there is any redress for persons unable to obtain the benefits to which they are entitled?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am informed by the Lancashire Insurance Committee that they have decided in this ease to pay the cost of the patient's treatment in the sanatorium as from the date of his admission on the 28th September.
§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH - COOKEasked the President of the Local Government Board what steps are being taken to carry into operation the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement that the Government are finding one and a half millions by the National Insurance Act to build sanatoria throughout the country; whether any new sanatoria have been built since the Act came into operation; and whether the foundation stories of any new sanatoria have been laid?
§ Mr. BURNSThe councils of counties and of county boroughs have been asked to prepare schemes for the provision of sanatoria and other institutions for the treatment of persons suffering from tuberculosis, and this is now being done. I am not aware what number of foundation stones have been laid. I have urged local authorities to utilise existing accommodation as far as this can properly be done, and to supplement this where necessary.
§ Mr. WRIGHTasked on what basis of beds to population the councils of counties and county boroughs are invited by the Local Government Board to draw up schemes for dealing with consumptives in sanatoria and in other residential institutions respectively; and (2) whether the Local Government Board still estimate, as expressed in their official circular of 14th May, that in the immediate future some 9,000 beds in sanatoria, being one bed per 5,000 of the population, and some 9,000 beds in other residential institutions, being one bed per 5,000 of the population, should be provided for the treatment of consumptives in the United Kingdom?
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§ Mr. BURNSFor the purpose of the preparation of schemes the Local Government Board have suggested that local authorities should take, as a guide, the figures suggested by the Departmental Committee. It was not, however, suggested that in each area any particular number of new beds should be provided. The amount of new accommodation which is required in any particular case must necessarily depend on the amount of existing accommodation which can properly be utilised, and on other factors.