HC Deb 14 May 1957 vol 570 cc200-1
22. Mr. Hannan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what other local authorities propose to carry out mass X-ray anti-tuberculosis campaigns similar to that recently organised in Glasgow.

Mr. J. N. Browne

Perth has just completed a magnificently successful campaign. A campaign is under way in West Lothian which has so far exceeded expectations. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of 18 local authorities which propose to carry out campaigns in the next two years.

Mr. Hannan

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many of these local authorities are in areas where there is a high incidence of tuberculosis, and what encouragement will he give to such local authorities to enter into the campaign?

Mr. Browne

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the local authorities in the list have been selected by the Department of Health for Scotland as being those in whose areas the incidence of tuberculosis is greatest.

Sir A. Gomme-Duncan

Is my hon. Friend aware that the figures for Perth constitute not only a record for the British Isles, but for every city in the world?

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Following are the names:

The town councils of Ayr, Kilmarnock, Port Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Greenock, Rutherglen, Renfrew, Paisley, Coatbridge, Airdrie, Motherwell and Wishaw, Dumbarton, Dundee.

The county councils of Fife, Lanark, Midlothian and Dunbarton.

23. Mr. Hannan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate the percentage of the population who submitted themselves to X-ray examination in the recent anti-tuberculosis campaign in Glasgow; the number of voluntary workers who assisted; and the approximate cost.

Mr. J. N. Browne

The proportion of the adult population in Glasgow examined was 75.7 per cent. This figure of 75.7 per cent. represents 620,491 adults resident in Glasgow and excludes 73,143 persons coming from outside the city and 19,226 children under 15. The number of voluntary workers was about 20,000. No figure of cost is yet available.

Mr. Hannan

May I ask the Joint Under-Secretary whether he is satisfied that there will be accommodation and nursing staff available to treat the patients who have since been found to be suffering from tuberculosis, and will he take this opportunity of congratulating the Glasgow local authority, its Medical Officer of Health. Dr. Horne, and his staff, and the voluntary workers for their spirit of service, and, above all, the population for their grand sense of citizenship?

Mr. Browne

The answer to the first part of the question is, "Yes, Sir." The answer to the second pan is that I am glad to take this opportunity to express once again to all who were concerned in this great Glasgow campaign the congratulations and thanks of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. While it is still too early to give firm details of the results of the campaign, there can be no doubt that Glasgow has made a striking contribution towards the control of the city's tuberculosis problem.