HC Deb 26 February 1948 vol 447 cc2092-3
3. Mr. Anthony Greenwood

asked the Minister of Education what steps are taken by his Department to detect the existence of tuberculosis among teachers and pupils.

Mr. Tomlinson

The arrangement of the school health service for routine and special medical inspections is directed to the discovery of the onset of diseases, including tuberculosis. In all cases of suspicion children are referred to the tuberculosis officer of the council. All intending teachers must take an initial medical examination. In addition, under standing instructions, published in 1926 jointly by the Ministry of Health and my Department, a teacher found to be suffering from active tuberculosis shall be suspended from teaching. I propose to remind authorities of this requirement.

Mr. Greenwood

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that answer, may I ask whether he has considered a recent speech by Dr. Norman Tattersall, and will he consider making it compulsory for all teachers to have a regular medical overhaul, in order to ensure that they are not carriers of tuberculosis capable of infecting the children in their schools?

Mr. Tomlinson

I will look into it.

Dr. Somerville Hastings

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether it would be possible to arrange for all teachers to have an examination of their chests by mass radiography perhaps once in five or 10 years?

Mr. Tomlinson

I will consider the possibility of discussing that with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and the local education authorities.