§ 25. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Health why the death-rate from bronchitis in Salford is 168 per 100,000 people, which is the highest in 11 the country, compared with a national average of 71;and what steps he proposes to take to help the city.
§ Mr. BraineThe reasons for local variations are not fully known; but I would refer the hon. Member to the full statement I made in the Adjournment debate on 15th February about the probable causes of bronchitis, and the measures that are being taken to lessen them.
§ Mr. AllaunIs the hon. Gentleman aware that local doctors blame, in particular, the damp and overcrowded rooms in old houses lacking damp courses? Some of the rooms are so wet that even the wallpaper will not stick on the walls but just peels off. Will the Parliamentary Secretary point out these facts to his right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, and urge him to grant extra financial assistance to rehouse those in old cities such as Salford?
§ Mr. BraineThe factors affecting the mortality from bronchitis are complex—and this could be one of them in Salford—but the two main causes are believed to be air pollution and cigarette smoking. I have no doubt that the Ministry of Housing and Local Government will take due note of what the hon. Gentleman has said.
§ Mr. SwinglerThe Minister keeps saying that it may be this or it may be that, but what research is going on through the National Health Service it self in those areas which are the worst sufferers, like parts of Lancashire and Staffordshire—though I do not know that cigarette smoking is exceptionally higher in those places than in mid-Scotland and other places—to enable local authorities to find out what action they should take to try to combat this terribly high death roll from bronchitis?
§ Mr. BraineThe Standing Medical Advisory Committee of the Central Health Services Council has been engaged on a study of the likely causes. As I say, there is no simple answer; this is a complex matter. Smoking plays some part; smoke pollution probably plays a very great part.
§ 32. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Health to what extent research is being carried out through the National Health 12 Service on the causes and incidence of death from bronchitis by occupation and by area of the country.
§ Mr. BarberA number of hospitals and doctors co-operate in such research, and much research on bronchitis is carried out in universities or under the Medical Research Council.
§ Mr. SwinglerCan the Minister tell us a little more about this? Is he aware of the opinion widely held in certain parts of the country that chronic bronchitis is an occupational hazard and that research should be done to establish whether it should be incorporated in the Insurance Scheme as an occupational hazard, just as the Ministry ought to advise local health authorities on certain measures which could be taken in the localities? Will the Minister publish something shortly bearing on this matter?
§ Mr. BarberI expect that the hon. Gentleman knows that studies of occupational and area mortality are carried out by the Registrar-General, and the most recent reports by him were published between 1954 and 1958. He will know, also, that I am advised generally on the problems of bronchitis by my Standing Medical Advisory Committee, which is at present giving special attention to bronchitis. I am awaiting its recommendations.