HC Deb 25 June 1913 vol 54 cc1076-7W
Mr. TOUCHE

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the Islington Tuberculosis Dispensary, founded and financed by the doctors of Islington for the purpose of giving treatment to the poor people of the district suffering from tuberculosis, is in danger of being closed owing to the lack of funds, while it is stated that, owing to the delay of the Local Government Board in approving a scheme for the establishment of a tuberculosis dispensary by the borough council, there is no probability of the official institution being opened for some time; and can he take any steps to obviate the risk of injury to some twenty-five patients now under treatment from an interruption of their course of treatment?

Mr. BURNS

I caused this dispensary to be investigated by one of my inspectors, and I did not feel justified in approving it under Section 16 (1)(a) of the National Insurance Act for the treatment of insured persons suffering from tuberculosis. As I explained in reply to a question by my right hon. Friend the Member for West Islington on Monday, I am anxious to deal with the proposals of the borough council as rapidly as possible.