HC Deb 11 February 1937 vol 320 cc549-51
2. Mr. Rowson

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that young men from the distressed areas and from Government training centres who are not suffering from tuberculosis themselves are being employed in Papworth workshops, Cambridgeshire, and are working side by side with persons suffering from tuberculosis; and whether he will consider the advisability of discontinuing this practice?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)

Yes, Sir. I understand that 24 men who were trained at Government training centres, as well as a considerably larger number of other non-tuberculous men, are at present employed at the Pap-worth Village centre. These men were informed before they took up employment at Papworth that they would be working in a settlement for tuberculous persons, and recruitment is on a voluntary basis. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health will deal more fully with the medical aspect of the matter in reply to a later question, but I understand that there is no special risk of infection, and, in these circumstances, I do not feel justified in refraining from giving suitable men from the training centres the opportunity of taking up employment at Papworth if they so wish.

Mr. Rowson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the men claim that they have been deceived into going to Pap-worth, and would like to get away as early as possible, that they have been told that they will not be discharged and that they dare not leave on their own?

Mr. Brown

I am not aware of that.

Mr. Hicks

What wages are paid to the men working in Papworth, and are the commodities which they produce sent out for sale to the public?

Mr. Brown

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would put those questions down.

Mr. Hicks

I will certainly put them down.

Mr. Brown

The work that is going on at Papworth is a valuable and wonderful experiment.

Mr. Tinker

Might not the fact that they work in these surroundings make them feel that it has some influence on their health?

Mr. Brown

That question does not arise.

Mr. Shinwell

Cannot the Government devise more suitable schemes for training men than those in which the men run some risk of infection?

Mr. Brown

I have answered the question on the Paper.

Mr. Shinwell

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer the questions a little more clearly?

Sir Francis Fremantle

Is it not a fact that every precaution, practically speaking, is taken at Papworth, and that there is practically no risk in these people working side by side with one another?

54. Mr. Rowson

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that young men from the distressed areas and from Government training centres who are not suffering from tuberculosis are being employed in Papworth workshops, Cambridgeshire, and are working side by side with persons suffering from tuberculosis; and whether he has obtained the opinion of his medical experts as to whether or not this practice, from a health point of view, is desirable and should be allowed to continue?

The Minister of Health (Sir Kingsley Wood)

Yes, Sir. These young men work in hygienic workshops and also in the open air. They are aware before they come that they will be employed in a tuberculosis village settlement. They do not reside there. The tuberculous patients are under constant medical supervision and are trained in the necessary precautions to guard against conveyance of infection. In these circumstances, I am advised that no special risk is involved.

Mr. Rowson

Is not the sole purpose of setting up tuberculosis sanatoria the prevention of infection and contagion, and, if that is the case, what is the use of sending tubercular cases there and putting non-T.B. men side by side with them on the same bench?

Sir K. Wood

I do not think that there can be any objection. These men go quite voluntarily, and, as far as any risk is concerned, they are just in the same position as the medical staff and the nurses, and other people associated with them.

Mr. Rowson

If this is not regarded as a tubercular colony now, is it regarded as an ordinary commercial institution competing with other businesses of a similar character on the basis of cheap labour?

Sir K. Wood

No, Sir. My opinion, as the hon. Member has asked for it, is, that this is an excellent institution doing a fine piece of work.

Mr. Mabane

Are not these questions calculated to damage the sale of admirable goods manufactured at Papworth workshops, which are in a perfectly hygienic condition and are rendering a great service to disabled men?

Sir K. Wood

indicated assent.

Mr. Rowson

I beg to give notice that at the first opportunity, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment, and give the House the information at my disposal.