Mr. Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the high incidence of incapacitating rheumatism among the insured population in the industrial belt in Scotland; whether the insurance committee for the county of Stirling have yet submitted their proposals to him for the inauguration of clinics for the treatment of rheumatism on lines similar to the clinics now operating in London; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. Westwoodasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the alarming incidence of rheumatism amongst insured workers as revealed by the preliminary study of this problem by the Department of Health; that the highest frequency, resulting in incapacity for work, namely, 39.77 per 1,000, is in the county of Stirling; that to meet this situation the insurance committee of Stirlingshire desire to see clinics set up in Scotland for the treatment of rheumatism similar to those operating in London; and what action does he propose to meet this request of the insurance committee?
§ Mr. ColvilleI have received a resolution on this subject from the Stirlingshire Insurance Committee. I understand that the London clinics referred to have been set up by voluntary agencies. There 1125W are already certain voluntary institutions in Scotland which provide facilities for the treatment of rheumatism and to which payments are made by approved societies out of surplus funds. I am prepared to encourage approved societies to contribute to the funds of any new clinics which may be established.