HC Deb 01 July 1963 vol 680 cc15-6
14. Sir A. Hurd

asked the Minister of Health to what causes he attributes recent outbreaks of typhoid.

Mr. Braine

At Harlow the cause is believed to be contaminated food; at South Shields it is not yet known.

Sir A. Hurd

Does the Minister have an expert team of investigators to sift the evidence and discover the causes in order to bring the facts together, so that the public may be warned about the types of food they should avoid and those running food shops should be warned of the precautions they should take?

Mr. Braine

Our officers do, of course, co-operate with the officers of the local health authorities. That co-operation is very close, and I have every reason to believe that it is fully effective.

Mr. Snow

Can the Minister tell us the rate at which typhoid cases are now growing, taking into account all the strains, compared with, say, last year? Further, will he direct his attention to the whole question of the disposal of sewage in built-up areas, bearing in mind that there is some evidence that the building of sewage plants is not running at the same rate as the building of houses?

Mr. Braine

The subject of the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is not a matter for my Department. I am sure that if he puts down a Question to the appropriate Ministry he will get the answer. As for the first part of his supplementary question, if we exclude the cases traced to the outbreak at Zermatt, the number of cases this year is not abnormal so far. This year 125 cases of typhoid have been notified.

22. Mr. Snow

asked the Minister of Health what is his estimate of the compensation which will have to be paid by local authorities under Section 41 of the Public Health Act 1961, arising out of the outbreak of typhoid at Harlow; and how many persons are involved.

Mr. Braine

No estimate is yet possible; ten under this Section and seven under the 1953 Regulations.

Mr. Snow

Can the hon. Gentleman confirm that in fact the compensation will be entirely a charge on the local authorities of the areas where these persons reside and that no finance can be secured either by the individual or by local authorities from National Insurance funds?"

Mr. Braine

Yes, Sir, I think so, but I should explain that the sums involved are not large. I understand, for example, that up to now there have been 13 claims for compensation and £68, as interim payments, has been paid to six persons.

28. Mr. Snow

asked the Minister of Health what advice is being given to travellers to Switzerland; and what precautions are being taken in respect of visitors from Switzerland, in the light of the experience gained by the Swiss health administration arising out of the outbreak of typhoid at Zermatt and the two further outbreaks.

Mr. Powell

All persons going abroad are advised to be effectively vaccinated against typhoid. None, Sir.

Mr. Snow

But is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since this Question was put down there have been further reports of suspicion about further outbreaks of typhoid in Switzerland? Has the right hon. Gentleman consulted medical opinion on whether there ought not to be special precautions with regard to Switzerland, bearing in mind the very large tourist trade in the summer and the not very good record of the relationship between the Swiss tourist industry and the Swiss health authorities, which were not above suspicion in the case of the Zermatt outbreak?

Mr. Powell

The last point is not for me to comment upon. This is a matter which is constantly looked at by my medical advisers. I am satisfied that the best way to deal with it is through local health authorities, which obtain assistance from my Department in dealing with any cases that occur and in following up the causes as promptly as possible.