HC Deb 25 July 1955 vol 544 cc806-8
23 and 24. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is aware of the high incidence of pleural effusion and progressive primary tuberculosis lesions in young Irish girls who immigrate to Britain, and who are free from tuberculosis on entry; and what action he proposes to take to give them protection against this disease;

(2) whether he has noted the high incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in the Irish-born population of London, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham and Coventry; whether he is aware of the fact that they become infected in Britain in most cases; what figures are available on this problem; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I am aware of certain studies which have been made on these subjects, but no comprehensive statistical information is available about the condition of immigrants on entry or about the time of infection. Nor could such information be obtained without the imposition of fresh restrictions and controls out of proportion to the danger to public health. The same protective, preventive and treatment services are available to these as to other residents in this country.

Dr. Stross

Will the Minister agree that that answer is not good enough in reality, because this is a very grievous problem which increases with the increasing number of people entering not only from Ireland but from the West Indies and from Africa, many of whom come from agrarian areas and are negative reactors and have no immunity from tuberculosis when they enter this country? Would he therefore not at least agree to ask, say, the Irish Ministry of Health to assist in seeing that they are skin-tested or given B.C.G. vaccine treatment before coming here? If many do not then receive that treatment, will he ensure that it will be given them when they come here?

Mr. Macleod

On the question of the size of the problem, I would agree that it is, of course, a problem, although I should not like to be thought to agree with all the words that the hon. Gentleman has used. I was advised about two years ago that the figures revealed by the inquiry did not indicate a serious menace to the health of this country. If there is anything useful in the matter I can do with the Irish authorities, of course, I will do it, and I should like to consider the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.

Dr. Strom

Whilst thanking the right hon. Gentleman for what he has just said, may I say that I am sure that if he consults the Irish authorities he will see that the problem is specifically serious, not to us here particularly but to Irish young men and women who contract tuberculosis after coming here?

Mr. Macleod

I hope that I can make it clear that I do not want anything that I have said to be taken as suggesting that the Eire authorities are not deeply concerned about this matter. I am sure that they are.

Mr. Marquand

Can the Minister say whether these immigrants are informed on landing of the services that are available? I agree that they are available to them, as to others, but do they know?

Mr. Macleod

I should have thought that everybody knows now that these services in this country are freely available to everybody without restriction. I should have thought that even newcomers are aware of that, but if there is any gap in that respect I will certainly look into the matter.

Sir T. Moore

Is there any real basis for these somewhat startling allegations made in respect of one particular form of immigrant from one particular country?

Mr. Macleod

There has been a great deal of discussion of this matter in the scientific papers, in the "Lancet" and papers published by the Eire Health Department and so on. Beyond question the figures are, as I called them, a problem, but I should like to make it clear to my hon. Friend the Member for Ayr (Sir T. Moore) that I do not accept all the statements that have been made by the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stross).

25. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Health how many beds are allocated for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in the North-West Metropolitan Region; and how many of these beds are occupied by immigrants from Irish rural areas.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The answer to the first part of the Question is 2,568: I regret that the information asked for in the second part is not available.

Dr. Stross

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the number of beds for the treatment of tuberculosis occupied in the North-West Metropolitan Region by Irish immigrants, most of whom come from agrarian areas and are in a young age group, is more than the sum total of all beds occupied by foreigners from all over the world? Does not that high-light the fact that the problem is serious?

Mr. Macleod

The hon. Member seems to be better informed than I am. That may well be so, and perhaps he would like to tell me the source of his information.

Dr. Stross

In view of the request made and the fact that I then have the Adjournment, I will give the information on Wednesday night.