HC Deb 06 July 1950 vol 477 cc612-3
15. Dr. Hill

asked the Minister of Health how many local health authorities are in possession of adequate supplies of B.C.G.; and whether he is satisfied that this method or prevention is being made available on an adequate scale and as rapidly as the paramount necessity of preventing tuberculosis demands.

Mr. Bevan

One hundred and sixteen out of 145 authorities in England and Wales have so far had arrangements approved for B.C.G. vaccination at the discretion of chest physicians. They receive the vaccine as they need it, since it cannot be stored. As to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Remnant) on 15th June.

Sir Herbert Williams

Can the rest of us be told what B.C.G. is? Is it anything to do with O.E.E.C., or anything like that?

Mr. Bevan

A prophylactic given in certain forms of tuberculosis.

16. Dr. Hill

asked the Minister of Health whether he will instruct regional hospital boards to arrange for the home treatment of tuberculosis patients, for whom there are no sanatorium beds vacant, by making available to them in their homes the services of chest specialists, portable X-ray facilities and any other facilities necessary for adequate and continuous treatment.

Mr. Bevan

It is part of the normal work of the boards' chest specialists, with the resources of the hospital service available to them, to take part in the home treatment of tuberculosis patients.

Dr. Hill

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that only in relatively few areas are the resources of tuberculosis services made available in the homes, and will he, bearing in mind that tuberculosis is five times as common among contacts as among the population, do his utmost to relieve what is an urgent national situation, not only for the sufferers from tuberculosis, but for their families as contacts?

Mr. Bevan

Yes, Sir, I am very well aware of what the hon. Member has stated. Of course, it must always be borne in mind in this very grave matter that the efforts that the service is able to make, result in a fall in the rates of mortality from tuberculosis. The hon. Member will find in the next few weeks that instructions will be issued dealing with those points.

Mr. Drayson

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that one of the greatest contributions he can make solving this problem is to get on with the provision of houses?

Mr. Bevan

That is the case—and also houses for those who suffer from overcrowding, and not only for those who have overcrowded accounts at the banks.

Mr. Snow

Would my right hon. Friend consider circularising to all local authorities a copy of the report of the Medical Officer of Health for Portsmouth last year, which gave information concerning control experiments with the use of B.C.G. vaccine?

Mr. Bevan

I should like to see the report. I am quite sure that if it is of use, it is already known to medical officers of health elsewhere, but I will see whether its circulation is necessary.

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