HC Deb 14 March 1955 vol 538 cc933-4
25 and 26. Mr. Patrick Maitland

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what measures are taken in the United Nations Relief and Works Agency camps to prevent Palestinian Arab refugees, who suffer from infectious tuberculosis, mixing with those who do not;

(2) how many of the 880,000 Palestinian Arab refugees under the care of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency have been found to be suffering from infectious tuberculosis; and how many have been accommodated in hospitals and sanatoria.

Mr. Turton

According to February figures, the total number of refugees found to be suffering from infectious tuberculosis was 817. I am awaiting details of how many are actually accommodated and segregated in hospitals and sanatoria; but, according to my latest information, there are 485 beds for them. This number will be increased to 585 in the near future when a special hospital in Jordan, opened by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, comes into operation. Segregation within the camps of those awaiting hospital treatment was tried at one time but was not successful because of ignorance and opposition on the part of the refugees themselves.

Mr. Maitland

Does my hon. Friend believe that out of 800,000 people who have been living on a quite inadequate diet for more than five years 817 represents even a likely figure? Is he aware that in certain camps there are no arrangements for the segregation of these people? Will he look into the matter again?

Mr. Turton

Certainly. I have no reason to doubt the figures given on medical examination, but I certainly agree that the figures give rise to grave concern. If my hon. Friend refers to last year's Report of the Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency he will find that the Director himself said that: The most unsatisfactory aspect of the situation is the continued and almost total lack of tuberculosis hospital beds for refugees in Jordan, a situation of great hazard to public health. Steps are being taken to try to put that right.

Mr. Maitland

Is my hon. Friend aware that in some of these camps it is possible to build further mud huts to separate these people? It would not cost anything. Is he aware that segregation could be carried out if the U.N.R.W.A. officials were efficient?

Mr. Turton

Next month we hope to double the amount of hospital beds which are available in Jordan. That is a step forward, but further steps will have to be taken.