§ Major PAGETasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the cases for Government treatment for tuberculosis 1757W are limited in Leicester to 30; and, seeing that, in view of the fact that every insured person contributes to this treatment, this is an insufficient number, and that in consequence the voluntary institution is overcrowded with surgical tuberculosis cases which largely hamper its other work, will he inquire into the matter?
§ Mr. NEVILLE CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. On the 1st July the number of persons receiving institutional treatment for tuberculosis from the Leicester Town Council was 217. I am not aware of the actual number of cases of surgical tuberculosis included in this figure, but the provision made by local authorities for the treatment of this disease would naturally have the effect of relieving the pressure upon voluntary institutions. In the circumstances, I see no necessity for an special inquiry, and I may point out that the health insurance contributions payable by insured persons do not now include any payment towards the cost of institutional treatment for tuberculosis.