§ 57. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Minister of Health whether he will consider making regulations, under the Public Health Act, 1936, to provide for the notification of scabies?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI understand that scabies is a skin condition produced by the burrowing into the skin of a parasite. It is not therefore an infectious disease in the accepted sense. Many cases never come under the notice of a doctor. In these circumstances, I am advised that compulsory notification is not the most suitable method of dealing with the problem.
§ Sir A. KnoxWill my right hon. Friend say whether any steps are being taken to check this disease, because I have been asked to put this Question by one of the boroughs in my constituency, which had never heard of the disease until evacuation started, and which since has had 150 cases?
Mr. MacDonaldVarious steps have been taken, and we are in touch with the hon. Member's constituency and with the authorities in that constituency on the matter.