§ 39 and 40. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Health (1) in view of the fact that in most cases pneumoconiosis develops very slowly among mine workers and other workers exposed by inhalation of noxious dusts and that superadded infection by tuberculosis causes rapid and progressive deterioration, what action he proposes to take to protect such workers from tuberculosis;
(2) in view of the fact that the aggregate rates of suspension because of pneumoconiosis associated with tuberculosis is higher in the north Staffordshire 1705 coalfields than in any other in Great Britain and, in view of the danger of infection to other miners, if he will take special steps, in consultation with the Minister of Fuel and Power, to eradicate tuberculosis from all who work in the mining industry.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 27th February. There are already adequate hospital facilities available in the area for miners and others suffering from tuberculosis.
§ Dr. StrossThat really does not answer either of the two Questions; perhaps I have expressed them badly. Is the hon. Lady aware that the best-informed opinion, for example that of Dr. Fletcher who recently lectured on this matter in America, is that, given the suppression and eradication of tuberculosis in the pits, we can get rid of pneumoconiosis as a danger to the miners once and for all within a short time, say five years? What will her Department do to see that men are mass X-rayed at the pit-heads in North Staffordshire as they have been in South Wales?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithAll new entrants to coal mines in South Wales and new entrants up to twenty-one years of age elsewhere are statutorily required to be medically examined. By the end of the year, it is hoped that arrangements will be complete for all new entrants to be examined radiologically. There has been an increase of mass miniature radiography units, and we have no evidence of lack of response to any requests for pit-head visits.
§ Dr. StrossAgain the hon. Lady is somewhat off the beam. Only 25 per cent. of miners in this area have been mass X-rayed, as compared with 90 per cent. of, say, rubber workers. Is she not aware that it is tuberculosis which causes the crippling form of pneumoconiosis and that unless we clean the pits of tubercule we shall not get anywhere?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI can assure the hon. Gentleman that any requests for further visits of the mass-radiography units to these areas will be favourably considered. The programme is generally made up months in advance, but everything will be done to meet such requests.
§ Mr. SnowDoes that mean that some pit managements are not forthcoming in asking for such visits of mass-radiography units?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithTo my knowledge, no requests have been refused, but I should not like to commit myself without further investigation.
§ Dr. SummerskillDoes the hon. Lady therefore wait for these people to communicate with her? Does not her right hon. Friend take the initiative in this matter and tell these men that their chests are to be examined?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithWhat happens is that the units try to plan their programmes so as to cover an area as they think most necessary, but, if there are special requests for additional visits, they will certainly be sympathetically considered.
§ Dr. StrossOn a point of order. In view of the grave importance of this matter to north Staffordshire and to the country as a whole, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.