Mr. McNeilasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the recommendation in the Medical Research Council Report on Mass Miniature Radiography of Civilians, that the scheme of allowances for patients suffering from acute pulmonary tuberculosis should be extended to all notified cases of tuberculosis; and if he has any statement to make.
Mr. JohnstonI am aware of what is said in the Report to which the hon. Member refers. The present special arrangements for payment of tuberculosis allowances under emergency powers at the cost of Exchequer funds are designed to encourage persons to give up work and to seek early treatment and were not designed to meet the needs of the chronic sick or in non-pulmonary cases. The question of financial assistance to persons suffering from incapacity, including tuberculosis, is, as the hon. Member is aware, under consideration in connection with the proposals on Social Insurance.