I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The purpose of the Bill is to include the Newcastle Sanatorium amongst the hospitals benefiting by the Sweepstakes, in order to enable the governors to provide extra accommodation for the treatment of tubercular cases. Last year some 300 patients were treated in the Sanatorium. It has now been decided not alone to treat pulmonary cases, but also surgical cases, and to extend the X-ray apparatus. Some thousands of cases from all over the Saorstát are treated in this institution. It is necessary now to have extra accommodation for the nursing staff and also for the treatment of surgical cases. The Sanatorium has at present an overdraft in the bank, and, unless some further assistance is given to it, this institution will be unable to carry on the good work which it has been carrying on for so many years.
Public Charitable Hospitals (Amendment) Bill, 1932—Second Stage.
I should like to add a few words in support of Deputy Everett's motion. Every Deputy must realise the terrible scourge that this disease, which this hospital is trying to fight, is in this country. I am sure every Deputy has seen many cases of terrible suffering and deplorable loss to this country through this disease. Every Deputy, I am sure, will be only too glad to try and do something to fight this terrible scourge. I have, therefore, great pleasure in supporting the Bill.
Question put and agreed to.
Ordered: That the Public Charitable Hospitals (Amendment) Bill, 1932, be referred to a Special Committee consisting of eleven Deputies to be nominated by the Committee of Selection; that the first meeting of the Special Committee be held on Wednesday, 25th May; and that the quorum of the Committee be five.