HC Deb 21 October 1941 vol 374 cc1611-2
31. Mrs. Hardie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in what districts in Scotland has the increase in notified cases of tuberculosis taken place?

Mr. Johnston

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a table showing the incidence of tuberculosis in the five Civil Defence districts in Scotland, in the years 1938, 1939, 1940, and the first 41 weeks of 1941.

Mrs. Hardie

Is the Minister aware that the rate has gone up in Glasgow by 20 per cent., and that the increase has been mainly among the young working population; and does he not think that steps ought to be taken to look into the causes with a view to remedying them, particularly as the figures are still rising?

Tuberculosis Cases Notified in Regions of Scotland during the years 1938, 1930, 1940 and part of 1941.
Region. 1938 1939 1940 41 Weeks to 11th October, 1941.
Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis.
Pulmonary Non-Pulmonary Total Pulmonary Non-Pulmonary Total Pulmonary Non-Pulmonary Total Pulmonary Non- Pulmonary Total
Northern Area. 149 124 273 174 100 274 165 88 253 129 79 208
North-Eastern Area.. 238 251 489 248 239 487 283 238 521 231 198 429
Eastern Area 498 386 884 449 342 791 531 318 849 442 264 706
South-Eastern Area. 674 397 1,071 591 309 900 681 366 1,047 564 308 872
Western Area. 3,234 1,614 4,848 3,195 1,450 4,645 3,540 1,494 5,034 3,182 1,139 4,321
Grand Total 4,793 2,772 7,565 4,657 2,440 7,097 5,200 2,504 7,704 4,548 1,988 6,536
Mr. Johnston

Yes, Sir; we are taking what steps are available, although they are very limited, to examine this matter. The Medical Research Council have had their attention drawn to the matter.

Mr. Kirkwood

Will the Secretary of State for Scotland inform the House whether he can give any reason for the increase in tuberculosis since the war began?

Mr. Johnston

I should say that housing difficulties, evacuation difficulties, blackout difficulties, war strain and a number of other causes have contributed to the increase.

Mrs. Hardie

Why should the increase be so much greater in Scotland than in England, where conditions arising out of the war arc even worse?

Dr. Edith Summerskill

If the reasons given by the Secretary of State are right, why should the increase be larger among women?

Mr. Johnston

I cannot give an adequate answer within the normal limits, of a reply to a Supplementary Question. I can only say that it is possible that the strain of war conditions is greater upon women than upon men.

Mr. Kirkwood

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that he is using all the means in his power to counteract these causes? I am satisfied that it is not so.

Following is the table: