24. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Health what are the present arrangements for the adequate health screening of immigrants in connection with tuberculosis and other diseases; and whether he intends to intensify these checks in the near future.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 1st February to my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Renée Short). I am sending him particulars of the arrangements recently announced.
Mr. Gresham CookeAlthough there is to be a mass X-ray unit for the discovery of tuberculosis at London Airport, is it not essential that other units should be established at seaports, such as Southampton, Liverpool, Plymouth and so on, because only a proportion of the immigrants will be tested at London Air- 28 port? Will the Minister really press on with this matter of testing at seaports, as the growth of T.B. is causing a great deal of concern?
§ Mr. RobinsonI must remind the hon. Gentleman, as I reminded the House a week ago, that under existing legislation only a proportion of immigrants can in any case be examined.
§ Mr. LongdenWould the Minister agree that this screening and checking could much better be done in the country of origin, and will he get in touch with his right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary to see that these experienced immigration officers who are to be sent to some countries of origin are equipped with the necessary powers?
§ Mr. RobinsonI do not know that immigration officers in the countries of origin would necessarily be able to provide reliable certificates of health, but I am in continuous contact with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations about the whole problem.