asked the Minister of Health whether he has now received the report of the committee, presided over by the hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. C. Davies) which investigated the problem of tuberculosis in Wales; and whether he proposes to publish the report?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

When will the report be available?

It was received on 7th November and should be available shortly.

Will my right hon. Friend take steps to publish the evidence upon which the report was based?

The report is very voluminous, and I think that in the first place we had better see the report.

Will my right hon. Friend put the evidence in the Library, and bear in mind that a report without the evidence necessarily cannot carry the same weight as a report with the evidence?

I will consider it.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to reduce maternal mortality, his Department is taking steps to require that a higher standard of gynaecological tuition be given to medical students so that inexpert midwifery need no longer be permitted by the licensing authorities; and will he state what those steps are?

After the publication of the interim report of the Departmental Committee on Maternal Mortality, my predecessor communicated with the Lord President of the Council asking him to transmit the report officially to the General Medical Council with special reference to the education of medical students in obstetrics. I am informed that, since this correspondence, the resolutions of the Council in regard to professional education which relate to instruction in midwifery, etc., have twice been revised, namely, on 24th November, 1932, and on 29th May, 1936, with effect from 1st November, 1938, and that the standard both for medical students and for midwives is being steadily raised.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is in a position to increase the number of iron lungs in this country to cope with the demand for such life-saving implements in cases of certain illnesses; and, if not, whether he will consult with health insurance societies with a view to making good the deficiency out of their large surplus funds ear-marked for additional health benefits or invested through Government channels for future requirements?

The hon. Member will be aware of the offer of Lord Nuffield to supply these appliances gratuitously to all hospitals in the country which require them. I am glad to avail myself of this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of his generous action in making available this useful article of hospital equipment for all sufferers who can be benefited by it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the use and upkeep of this life-saving instrument will be great?

It is very difficult to say.

Is it not possible that a much cheaper form of apparatus made out of rubber materials, which is also in use, may be provided for those places where they have not iron lungs?

I think that the mass production will probably lead to a cheapening of their cost.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in correspondence in the Press and by other methods these iron lungs are also being used to broadcast the merits of the Prime Minister?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the establishment, in co-operation with local authorities, voluntary organisations, or otherwise, of a number of hospitals and clinics to be staffed by medical and other refugees and placed in areas where specialist and general facilities for treatment of disease are inadequate?

Responsibility for health matters is by Statute entrusted to local authorities who have in particular power to provide institutional accommodation. The employment of personnel is at the discretion of the local authorities, and I do not think it would be possible for me to take steps as suggested by the hon. Member.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that no local authority, apart from the London County Council, has a jurisdiction wide enough to make such a proposal practicable, and will he, therefore, undertake at least to take this suggestion into consideration and to discuss it with some local authorities and with the voluntary organisations concerned?

Many of the great local authorities are quite comparable with the London County Council in the population they cover and the revenues they enjoy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake, at any rate, to discuss it with some of the voluntary organisations, particularly having regard to the fact that a large number of persons of this class are in this country with diminishing resources as refugees?

If the voluntary organisations have any proposals to lay before me I shall be glad to consider them.

asked the Minister of Health why Mr. R. H. Fleming, of 81, Linton Road, Barking, who applied for an old age pension at the end of August, 1938, enclosing all relevant papers, has not yet been awarded a pension, despite a number of further letters on the subject?

On the information at present available Mr. Fleming was not continuously insured for five years immediately before attaining the age of 65, so that one of the statutory conditions for the award of an old age pension is not satisfied. Particulars of an earlier insurance relating to Mr. Fleming have, however, been obtained and inquiries are proceeding with a view to determining whether it is possible to combine the two insurances and so secure a result satisfactory to Mr. Fleming. Every possible step is being taken to expedite the settlement of the claim.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has considered introducing legislation to secure a grant to provide winter allowances for old age pensioners who may require additional assistance during the winter months?

The Government are not able to adopt this suggestion.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind that when a Motion on this subject was discussed on Wednesday last week that the hon. and gallant Gentleman ran away from it?

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say how long this torture and starving of the old people is to be allowed to continue?