§ Sir A. BUTTasked the Minister of Health the number of deaths caused by influenza or its complications in London during January and February, 1925;
1553Wwhether these deaths have any correlation with age, occupation, or locality; and whether, in view of a probable return of the epidemic and its crippling effect on industry, he will consider any amendment of the National Health Insurance Acts to encourage the withdrawal of early influenza cases from factories, workshops and offices during the most infectious period?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe total number of deaths in London during January and February, 1925, notified as due to influenza was 480, which is equivalent to 649 per million of the population per annum. I am sending detailed figures to my hon. Friend showing the number of deaths in each of the London and Metropolitan boroughs, and also the number in age groups. Information as to occupations could not be given without a re-examination of the entry relating to each individual death. As regards the last part of the question, I think that an amendment of the National Health Insurance Act on the lines suggested would not be practicable. The effect of the Act is already in the direction desired by the hon. Member, inasmuch as it encourages workers to seek prompt medical advice as soon as they begin to feel ill, and by providing cash payments during absence from work owing to illness, it alleviates the financial loss through such absence.