§ 27. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Labour whether he will introduce a pilot scheme by which all recruits for the Services who are willing are subjected to tuberculin tests, and negative reactors urged to accept B.C.G. vaccination, before entering the Services.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodNo, Sir. Suitable facilities are already available to men in the Armed Forces for tuberculin tests and B.C.G. vaccination.
§ Mr. HastingsWould it be worth while to try to press strongly for a pilot scheme? I know that the Minister fully realises that tuberculosis contracted in the Armed Forces represents a very heavy loss to the country, both in manpower and finance.
§ Mr. MacleodYes. I think that the position is satisfactory in the Armed Forces, but, as I understand the hon. Member, he is suggesting bringing this in at an earlier stage than that of the medical boards. I do not think that that is practicable, because medical boards were brought together for a special purpose, and they could not do the ordinary follow-up after seventy-two hours, and so on, which would be necessary.