HC Deb 11 May 1926 vol 195 cc810-2W
Dr. SHIELS

asked the Minister of Health what local authorities in England and Wales have introduced light treatment for tuberculosis and in connection with welfare centres?

Mr. NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN

I will send the hon. Member a list of the local authorities which have made experimental arrangements, with the approval of my Department for light treatment in connection with their tuberculosis or maternity and child welfare schemes.

Dr. SHIELS

asked the Secretary for Scotland what local authorities in Scotland have introduced light treatment for tuberculosis and in connection with welfare centres?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Facilities for the treatment of tuberculosis by ultra-violet radiation (light treatment) have been provided or are in course of being pro vided by each of the four large cities, the Middle Ward District Committee of Lanarkshire, the burghs of Greenock, Paisley, Motherwell and Wishaw, Coat-bridge, Falkirk and Kirkcaldy, the County Council of Ross and Cromarty, and also by the following combinations of local authorities, viz: the South Eastern Counties Joint Sanatorium Board, the Fife and Kinross Joint Sanatorium Board, and the Dumfries and Galloway Joint Sanatorium Board, The facilities so provided by local authorities are by arrangement in some instances available for neighbouring areas and the facilities provided at certain voluntary institutions are also available to local authorities. The nine first mentioned local authorities and the burgh of Kilmarnock also provide or are in course of providing light treatment in connection with their schemes of maternity service and child welfare.

Dr. SHIELS

asked the Secretary for Scotland, how many local authorities in Scotland make no arrangements for pneumothorax and X-ray, screen diagnosis in connection with tuberculosis schemes?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I have no exact information as to the extent to which pneumothorax treatment is practised in connection with tuberculosis schemes. I am advised that medical opinion is not unanimous as to the value of this particular form of treatment and its use generally and in individual cases must necessarily be left to the discretion of the responsible medical officers of the local authorities. X-ray installations for diagnostic purposes have been provided or are in course of being provided in 15 institutions belonging to local authorities or combinations of local authorities. Local authorities which have not pro

Period. Men. Boys. Women. Girls. Total.
13 weeks ended 30th March 1925 1,220 734 755 988 3,697
13 weeks ended 29th March 1920 1,107 857 837 1,097 3,898

vided facilities of their own make arrangements with the authorities owning these institutions or with voluntary hospitals or other bodies which have the necessary facilities.