HC Deb 28 January 1957 vol 563 c656
16. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons known to be suffering from tuberculosis in the county borough of Sunderland on the latest available date.

Mr. Vosper

One thousand, nine hundred and one on the 31st December, 1956.

Mr. Willey

Is not the right hon. Gentleman very disturbed by this figure? Is it not very disturbing that this figure is both much larger than it was pre-war and has been increasing over recent years? To what does the right hon. Gentleman attribute this increase?

Mr. Vosper

It is high compared with other parts of the country, but there has not been a large increase in recent years. I should attribute it to intensive case finding and the fact that people suffering from this disease are living longer.