§ 12. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Health what recommendations he has received from his Standing Tuberculosis Advisory Committee with regard to the problem of imported tuberculosis referred to that body for consideration.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe Committee have not yet made any recommendations.
§ Mr. RobinsonDoes not the Minister think that the Committee have been sitting on this problem for rather a long time? It is many months since he referred it to them and it is some months since they began to consider it. Will he do his best to hasten their consideration of it and say also whether he has had any conversations with his right hon. and learned Friends the Home Secretary and the Minister of Labour about the special aspects of this problem?
§ Mr. MacleodFor the moment, I do not think it is fair to blame the Committee. They have asked me to try to find out the size of the problem and we are trying to find out from sanatoria and chest clinics how many people have come to this country—principally those who have come to take up employment—who are suffering from tuberculosis. I am sure that they will work as quickly as possible when that essential information is before them. On the other side, discussions are going on all the time between myself and my right hon. and learned Friends the Home Secretary and the Minister of Labour on the point to which the hon. Member refers.