22. Mr. NcNeilasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why, in his recently announced scheme of relief for tuberculosis patients and their dependants, he has excluded from the scheme all patients suffering from tuberculosis other than pulmonary disease?
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Westwood)The purpose of the allowances scheme is to encourage people who are suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis to seek early treatment, not only in their own interest but—since the disease is infectious—in the interests also of their families and of the general community. The scheme does not extend to persons suffering from non-pulmonary tuberculosis, because the disease in this form is not infectious and does not constitute such a danger to the general public health.
Mr. McNeilAm I to understand that the danger of infection to other people, and not the necessity to treat the sufferer, is the main reason for this scheme of dependants' allowances?
§ Mr. WestwoodThe main reason for this scheme is the report of a Committee set up by the Medical Research Council, at the instigation of the Government, which recommended these allowances for pulmonary tuberculosis cases and made no recommendation so far as non-pulmonary cases are concerned.
Mr. McNeilAs I to understand that the Minister is unable to make up his own mind on this matter, despite the mass of evidence which has been submitted to him in this House?
§ Mr. WestwoodNo, the hon. Member must not asume such a thing.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes my hon. Friend think that that is the right way to speak to a Parliamentary Private Secretary?
§ Mr. Neil MacleanIs not non-pulmonary tuberculosis an incipient form of pulmonary tuberculosis and likely, therefore, to be infectious?
§ Mr. WestwoodNon-pulmonary tuberculosis is non-infectious, and we have followed the recommendations of the Committee set up to deal with this problem.
Mr. McNeilOwing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.