§ 25. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the extent to which tuberculosis is distributed by elderly people with chronic coughs; and what steps he is taking to persuade such people to have sputum tests and X-ray examination of their chests.
§ Mr. TurtonI have no separate evidence on this, but its importance as a potential source of infection has been brought to the notice of directors of mass miniature radiography units.
§ Mr. HastingsWill the right hon. Gentleman always keep in mind the fact that tuberculosis is an infectious disease and that the only way really to eliminate it with certainty is to deal with the sources of infection? Is there not clear evidence that old people, particularly old men, with chronic coughs are spreading the disease perhaps more than any other class of persons in the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. TurtonI have no separate evidence that distinguishes old men with chronic coughs to support that statement, but I am in entire agreement with the general view expressed by the hon. Gentleman, and, as I have told him, this matter has been brought to the attention of the directors of the mass miniature radiography units.