HC Deb 04 December 1941 vol 376 c1252
57. Mr. Wakefield

asked the Minister of Health whether a medical examination is made of workers coming across from Ireland to ensure that they are not suffering from any disease?

Mr. E. Brown

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service that there is no regular system of medical examination for workers coming to Great Britain from Eire or Northern Ireland, but that such workers are in some cases medically examined in their home areas at the instance of the employers engaging them. I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Sir P. Hurd) on 20th November, of which I am sending him a copy.

Mr. Wakefield

Is my right hon. Friend aware that workmen coming over from Ireland may in some cases have tuberculosis, venereal disease and other diseases, and will he take steps to see that a proper examination is made at the port of entry in order to prevent these diseases from spreading in this country?

Mr. Brown

Perhaps the hon. Member will look at the answer to which I have referred.

Sir Percy Hurd

Is anything further being done following on that answer?

Mr. Brown

Certainly. The authorities have power to take certain action in regard to these diseases.

Sir J. Nall

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the matter is one of urgency and ought to be dealt with firmly?

Mr. Brown

It is not merely a matter of these particular persons. Preventive measures have to be applied in other directions, too.