§ 27. Sir A. WILSONasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that W. Barrett, a cattleman at Dromenagh Farm, Iver, Bucks, has been detained since 12th March in the isolation hospital at Cippenham on the unsupported statement of a single medical officer that he was suffering from an infectious disease, though he was at that date, and is now, considered by another doctor to be free from any disease; and whether he will take steps to procure his immediate release without prejudice to any claim he may put forward for damages for illegal detention?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREMy right hon. Friend understands that the man referred to was not detained in the isloation hospital on the unsupported statement of a single medical officer, but that eight consecutive bacteriological examinations of swabs taken from his throat disclosed the presence of haemolytic streptococci. My right hon. Friend is informed that he was discharged from hospital as soon as bacteriological examination indicated that the organisms were no longer present.
§ Sir A. WILSONWill the man receive pay or compensation for the time he was detained in hospital, and, if so, from what source?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREI should like notice of that question.
§ Sir A. KNOXIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Member for this constituency has received no complaints regarding this case, and that it is only raised by the Anti-Vaccination League?
§ 28. Sir A. WILSONasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the statement at pages 96 to 98 of the Report on the Health of the Army for 1932, that no appreciable decrease in the total dysentery figures has occurred during the five years in which an extensive search for dysentery carriers has 1368 been in operation, and that routine investigation for carriers has been abandoned in view of the injustice entailed to individuals; and whether, in view of the fact that hæmolytic streptococci, which were the cause of the isolation of a cowman at Cippenham Isolation Hospital, are frequently found in healthy persons, he will institute inquiries with a view to preventing injustice to individuals in such cases?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but my right hon. Friend is advised that dysentery is not comparable with the streptococcal infections, and that the isolation of the man referred to in the second part of the question was, in the circumstances of the case, the proper course. He was isolated not merely because of the finding of certain organisms in his throat, but as a result of a combination of bacteriological findings and epidemiological evidence. My right hon. Friend sees no necessity for special inquiries on this subject.