§ 56. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the last annual report of the county medical officer for Lancashire showing increases in the number and percentage of non-pulmonary tuberculosis cases among children; if so, will he state how these figures compare with 295 other industrial areas; and what steps will be taken to deal with this problem?
§ Mr. ElliotThere was a certain increase in the number of cases of non-pulmonary tuberculosis notified, consequent upon the medical examination of the school children; but the annual report of the county medical officer does not indicate any increase in the total number of cases among children. Indeed, the figures show a slight decrease as compared with the preceding year.
§ Mr. DaviesWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the other part of my question, as to how the figures for Lancashire compare with those for similar industrial areas?
§ Mr. ElliotFor the country as a whole there was a slight rise in the number of notifications of deaths at all ages. For Lancashire, I think the figures were rather more favourable.