HC Deb 11 December 1947 vol 445 cc1169-70
22. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Health against how many men and women complaints have been lodged in respect of suspected V.D. in the Metropolitan Police area during the past 12 months; how many of these have been proved to be suffering therefrom and have received treatment; and how these figures compare with the previous 12 months.

Mr. Bevan

Figures are not kept for the Metropolitan Police district, but in London and the Home Counties reports were received about 54 men and 875 women in 1946, compared with 37 men and 2,679 women in 1945. The number who received treatment is not available.

Mr. Sorensen

Is it not rather important to compare the number affected who have apparently received treatment with the number against whom some complaint has been made, so that we might see whether the existing regulations are satisfactory?

Mr. Bevan

I think the figures will show that the position is not unsatisfactory. The rise in the figure is not necessarily an indication of deterioration.

Mr. Sorensen

But is it not true that this is an experiment which was started only a few years ago; and is it not worth while to see whether it is a successful experiment?

Mr. Bevan

We shall watch the experiment very carefully, and will find out how many receive treatment.