HC Deb 14 June 1955 vol 542 cc402-4
14 and 15. Sir I. Clark Hutchison

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will take steps to increase the number of mobile X-ray units for the detection of tuberculosis in Scotland;

(2) if he will make a statement on the progress of the campaign to detect and eradicate tuberculosis in Scotland.

Mr. J. Stuart

Since 1953, mass miniature radiography units have been employed on community surveys as well as on the survey of industrial groups and other special sections of the population. The six community surveys conducted in 1954 were responsible for 67,086 of the 360,852 persons examined by mass miniature radiography. The 1955 programme of mass miniature radiography is on the same lines. The best way of using mass miniature radiography in future years is now being studied, and I am prepared to consider providing additional mobile units if it is established that effective use could be made of them.

Sir I. Clark Hutchison

Can my right hon. Friend say if the main difficulty in the way of increasing the number of these surveys is shortage of equipment or shortage of trained staff?

Mr. Stuart

As I have said, when we have a little more experience I will be prepared to consider trying to procure additional units, but this, of course, will necessitate the training of additional staff.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the Secretary of State aware that both in Leith and Greenock and in other places his Department's experiment had enormous success? There seems, therefore, to be enough information to justify developing this system of what might be called high-pressure salesmanship to get people to undergo this test. I should like to congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on the success of his Department in the experiments which have been conducted so far.

Mr. Stuart

I am very grateful to the right hon. Gentleman, and I will certainly bear in mind what he has said.

16. Sir I. Clark Hutchison

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the shortage of mobile X-ray units for the detection of tuberculosis is making it difficult for regular follow-up examinations to take place in the Pilton Ward of Edinburgh and other districts, where a comprehensive initial examination has been carried out; and what action he proposes to take to meet this shortage.

Mr. J. Stuart

Mass radiography units are not used for the follow-up of persons placed under observation as the result of community surveys such as that in Pilton, and so far as I know the regular chest clinics are finding no difficulty in carrying out this work. I am not satisfied that the repetition of a community survey after a relatively short interval would be an efficient way of using expensive equipment, or of employing the trained staff who would have to be diverted from other important work.

Mr. Hoy

Is it not a fact that this particular area, which, with the central Leith ward, carried out so successful a campaign, is finding some difficulty in doing the follow-up work which it was asked to undertake by the Department and is complaining that equipment is not being provided? Would the right hon. Gentleman agree to think this matter over again?

Mr. Stuart

We are, of course, watching it very carefully, but I believe it to be more efficacious to devote the available equipment to breaking new ground and to trust to the regular chest clinics to do the follow-up work.

20. Mr. Willis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to arrange for further miniature X-ray campaigns against tuberculosis in Edinburgh along the lines followed by the Pilton Central Committee.

Mr. J. Stuart

A similar campaign was carried through in central Leith in March of this year. As regards the future, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I have given to my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, West (Sir I. Clark Hutchison).

Mr. Willis

Is the right hon. Gentle. man aware that there is a feeling of frustration about this? Can he give an assurance that there will be sufficient equipment available to make this possible?

Mr. Stuart

We are certainly going to continue the process. There is no suggestion of stopping it.