§ 8. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the death rate from chronic bronchitis in adult males varies greatly in different localities, and in the same locality in those engaged in different industries; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the cause and prevention of this malady.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI am aware of the facts to which the hon. Member refers. Some aspects of the problem are already being considered by my Standing Medical Advisory Committee and, I am informed, by a working party of the Medical Research Council.
§ Mr. HastingsDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that the death rate from bronchitis in this country is higher than in most countries, if not, indeed, in any other country? Does the right hon. Gentleman also realise the number of days' work that are lost every year through this affection, and does he not feel it is time that a serious attempt was made to discover how it can be prevented?
§ Mr. MacleodYes, indeed, I feel it is time that we did that, and it is exactly for that reason that the two inquiries which I mentioned in my reply have been put in hand. In addition, I am informed that in the New Year the Industrial Health Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Labour is also to take up this problem.
§ Mr. HastingsCan the right hon. Gentleman say how soon the reports are expected from these two bodies?
§ Mr. MacleodI cannot prophesy about that, but it is regarded as an urgent matter.
§ Dr. SummerskillAs the mortality rate from chronic bronchitis is higher in my constituency than in any other in the country, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is advised that the mortality rate varies in direct ratio to the degree of air pollution?
§ Mr. MacleodI should not have thought that it was in direct ratio, but there is beyond doubt a connection between the two.
§ 28. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to recent evidence indicating that a not inconsiderable proportion of those living in common lodging houses and reception centres are suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis and liable to infect others; and whether he will call the attention of local authorities to the desirability of X-ray examination of such people and provision for the necessary treatment.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI am aware of the situation to which the hon. Member refers and am considering how best to deal with it.
§ Mr. HastingsWill the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind that tuberculosis is an infectious disease and as many as ten new cases have been traced to one individual? If he really wants to get rid of this disease, will he bear in mind that he will have to deal with it by a certain amount of restriction and care of those who are spreading it?
§ Mr. MacleodI have been anxious about this matter for some time and the Parliamentary Secretary has been going into the question of what we can do. We 1639 are having a meeting very soon with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the National Assistance Board to formulate a joint plan of action.
§ 43. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Health whether he has noted the lowering of the death rate from tuberculosis in recent years, whilst the death rate from chronic bronchitis and allied lung disorders is rising; and whether he will give consideration to using the services of the anti-tubercular clinics and their skilled medical personnel to deal with these latter disorders.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI have noted the encouraging fall in the death rate from tuberculosis, but the numbers of new cases notified have not been falling so quickly and still make heavy demands on the chest clinics. Nor do I accept the suggestion that the death rate from chronic bronchitis is rising.
§ Dr. StrossWill not the Minister accept the possibility that there may be, if, as we all hope, we are successful in further combating tuberculosis, the danger to consider that the staffs and premises of those clinics may no longer be needed? Is he aware that the point of my Question is to put to him the point that inasmuch as there is very much chronic bronchitis and allied chest disorders, those staffs should be considered for dealing with those diseases?
§ Mr. MacleodThe figures of bronchitis must be studied with great care, because they are not always comparable, owing to the changes in the international classification. It is true that we can look forward to having a considerable increase in resources from the fact that the beds for tuberculous patients are not so much used as they have been, but I do not think that time has yet come.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopMay we take it from the Minister that he gives full support to the inquiries, in which, I know, he is interested, in Newcastle and elsewhere, following this matter up, and that he will waste no time in putting the recommendations into force?
§ 45. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Health the number of deaths from tuberculosis and from chronic bronchitis in Stoke-on-Trent for 1928 and 1954.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe numbers of deaths from tuberculosis in the County Borough of Stoke-on-Trent for the years in question are:
| 1928 | … | … | … | … | 322 |
| 1954 | … | … | … | … | 80 |
§ The numbers of deaths from chronic bronchitis in local areas are not available.
§ Dr. StrossIn view, however, of the fact that in that city there are industries such as the pottery, steel and coal mining industries, which are all industries in which there is respiratory risk from the inhalation of noxious material, would the right hon. Gentleman consider using the departments available, such as the chest clinics there, so that these and other respiratory diseases may there be examined and treated?
§ Mr. MacleodI very much welcome the interest which the hon. Gentleman shows in this matter. If we can advantageously switch resources we shall do so.