HC Deb 07 November 1929 vol 231 cc1261-2W
Dr. MORGAN

asked the Minister of Health how many insurance committees have taken advantage of the provisions of the National Health Insurance Acts and instituted lectures on health and disease prevention for the insured per sons in their district; how many such lectures have been given this year and at what cost; and whether any steps are proposed to remind insurance committees of their obligations in this respect?

Mr. GREENWOOD

I am not in possession of any precise figures on the points raised in the first two parts of the question; but I am aware that certain committees have undertaken work of this character. It is not obligatory upon committees to do so, and I think they are already fully acquainted with their statutory powers.

Dr. HASTINGS

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the amount of disease which is preventible or readily curable if treated in its earliest stages; and whether he will consider the advisability of the provision of leaflets dealing with human disease, similar in nature to the leaflets provided by the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the diseases of animals and plants?

Mr. GREENWOOD

I am aware of the facts referred to in the first part of the question. My Department have, from time to time, issued memoranda dealing with the prevention and treatment of various diseases, and further memoranda of the same character will be issued as occasion requires. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of some of those already issued. These memoranda are on sale to the public, but they are primarily designed for the information of local authorities and their officers and in some cases may conveniently form the basis for the popular leaflets or public announcements issued by such authorities.