§ 7. Mr. Marshasked the Minister of Health how many patients were treated for venereal diseases in each of the last four years.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Enoch Powell)I regret that this information is not available.
§ Mr. MarshIs it not well known that in 1959 the figure of freshly notified cases was in excess of 116,000? Has it not also been recently stated publicly by a large journal that the greatest increase of notifiable cases of venereal disease was in the 18 to 19 year-old age group.
§ Mr. PowellThe hon. Gentleman appears to be referring to new cases. His Question referred to cases treated.
§ 8. Mr. Marshasked the Minister of Health if he will consider the reintroduction of legislation, similar to Defence Regulation 33B.
§ Mr. PowellNo, Sir.
§ Mr. MarshDoes it not appear that the Minister is treating this matter with a degree of casualness which is surprising? Is it not quite obvious to everybody that there is a rapid increase in the number of new cases of venereal disease and that this represents a major problem? Does not he think that his Department should do more than stick coy posters in public lavatories?
§ Mr. PowellIt is quite true that the increase in the new cases of gonorrhoea gives cause for anxiety, but I cannot believe that the compulsory notification, examination and treatment of venereal diseases would help.
§ Mr. MarshIs it not a fact that the 1959 figure of new notified cases of venereal disease was higher than that which existed when this Defence Regulation was introduced? Is it not also a fact that the only objections ever made to Defence Regulation 33B were on grounds of personal liberty? Does the right hon. Gentleman think that to defend the liberty of people it is necessary to infect young people with syphilis?
§ Mr. PowellI do not believe that the spread of habits and knowledge which might contribute to an improvement in this matter would be in any way helped—rather the contrary would be the case—by the introduction of compulsory procedures.