HC Deb 28 January 1943 vol 386 cc615-6
58. Mr. Douglas

asked the Minister of Health the death-rate from tuberculosis in the county of London for the years 1938 and 1941, respectively?

Mr. E. Brown

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 26th November last. As I explained then, the special war-time conditions affecting population movements in London render any tuberculosis death rates for 1941 entirely misleading.

Mr. Douglas

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these figures, compiled by the county medical officer of health, have been published in the "British Medical Journal"?

Dr. Russell Thomas

Do not the figures published in the "British Medical Journal" show that the tuberculosis death-rate has increased by 67 per cent. in London since the war?

63. Mr. Thorne

asked the Minister of Health the percentage increase or decrease in the death-rate per 1,000 in 1941 as compared with 1938 from non-pulmonary tuberculosis in the towns in the county of Essex?

Mr. Brown

In 1938, the number of deaths from non-pulmonary tuberculosis in the towns of Essex was 136, yielding a death-rate of .079 per 1,000 population. For 1941 the available record relates to civilians only, the deaths and death-rate being 163 and .126 respectively. Comparison of the two years on the basis of these figures is, however, misleading, partly on account of selective recruitment for the Armed Forces and partly because these towns, while depleted by evacuation, have been charged with the deaths of previous residents who actually died in institutions elsewhere.

Dr. Summerskill

In view of the fact that 40 per cent. of these deaths are due to infected milk, will the right hon. Gentleman say what action he has taken?

Mr. Brown

I cannot accept that.