§ Mr. ASTORasked the President of the Local Government Board whether any general voluntary hospitals in London have made arrangements with local authorities or insurance committees for treating tuberculous cases; if so, will he state the number of these institutions which have made such arrangements; the number of beds so made available; and whether all these institutions receive payment for treating these insured persons?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I understand that arrangements are at present in force between the London Insurance Committee and three general hospitals under which twenty-eight beds were occupied by insured persons at the beginning of the present month, while arrangements are pending with a fourth hospital. Arrangements are also in force between the committee and three consumption hospitals under which seventy beds were occupied by insured persons at the date above-mentioned. The London County Council propose to make arrangements for the treatment of tuberculous cases in seven general hospitals and three consumption hospitals in London, and I understand that they hope to obtain 160 beds at these institutions during the next twelve months. The Middlesex and Surrey County Councils have each arranged for the use of beds at two general or consumption hospitals in London, and on the 31st March last Middlesex were using eleven beds and Surrey thirteen beds in these hospitals. I understand that in all cases payment is or will be made by the insurance committee or the county council for all beds occupied under the arrangements specified above.
§ Mr. ASTORasked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the fact that the investigations of Dr. Eastwood and Dr. Griffiths into the incidence and bacteriological characteristics of tuberculous infection in children did not include an inquiry into cases of tubercular disease in children under the age of two years, and in view of the fact that, according to the investigations of Mr. Stiles and Dr. Philip Mitchell, it is in the earliest years of life that bovine baccili are most frequently found to be present in children, 712W the Local Government Board propose to supplement the investigations of Dr. Eastwood and Dr. Griffiths by a similar inquiry into cases of tubercular disease in children under the age of two years?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELWhen opportunity offers the question of undertaking such an investigation as the hon. Member suggests will be carefully considered. An investigation is now in progress which it is hoped will throw some light on the question as to the relative responsibilities of the bovine and human tubercle bacillus in the production of bone and joint disease.