§ 22. Commander Keransasked the Minister of Health how many notifiable cases of leprosy have occurred in the United Kingdom in the last five years.
§ Miss PittOne hundred and ninety-four in Great Britain. In all cases the disease was contracted abroad.
§ Commander KeransCan my hon. Friend say whether the increase in leprosy in this country is due to increased immigration from tropical countries? Can she further say how many leper colonies exist in this country?
§ Miss PittIn reply to the first part of that question, there is no evidence of a direct connection between the increase in leprosy, which is small, and the number of immigrants. We do not know the country of origin or bithplace of patients because that is not required to be stated under the regulations. I am sorry that I cannot answer the second part of the question without notice.
§ 29. Mr. N. Pannellasked the Minister of Health what was the number of people suffering from leprosy in the United Kingdom at 31st December, 1960, as compared with 31st December, 1959.
§ Mr. PannellIs my hon. Friend aware that in 1951 there were only 46 cases of 964 leprosy in this country? Is she not alarmed at the progressive increase from year to year? Does she consider that some restriction should be placed on the entry of such people into this country?
§ Miss PittNo, that would not be for my Department in any event, but the cases of leprosy are really few, and I am advised that they do not constitute a risk to public health. Moreover, there is adequate provision in this country for treatment.