HC Deb 04 February 1943 vol 386 c1036
31. Mr. Douglas

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to a statement by the County Medical Officer of Health for London that the death-rate from pulmonary tuberculosis in London rose from 0.64 in 1938 to 1.10 in 1941, and that the death-rate from non-pulmonary tuberculosis rose in the same period from 0.09 to 0.15, or an increase in the death-rate from all forms of tuberculosis from 0.73 to 1.25; and whether he has any statement to make on these figures?

Mr. E. Brown

Yes, Sir. On the second part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 26th November last to his Question on this subject.

Mr. Douglas

Do not the figures show that the incidence of tuberculosis had risen very much more in London and the large towns than in the country? How does the Minister reconcile that with 90 per cent. pasteurisation of milk in London?

Mr. Brown

My hon. Friend is well aware of the reasons for the differences, which were in some part due to the change in the basis of classification owing to the international standard.