HC Deb 29 March 1965 vol 709 cc1181-2
37. Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

asked the Minister of Health if he will introduce legislation to compel dependants of voucher holders and returning residents, at present exempted under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, to undergo medical examination on landing.

10. Mr. Kitson

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied with the health regulations governing immigrants from Commonwealth countries; and whether he intends to enforce stricter control.

Mr. K. Robinson

I am sending the hon. Members particulars of new arrangements that were introduced earlier this year. I intend to study their effect before deciding whether further measures are needed.

Mr. Lloyd

While appreciating the improvement in the arrangements, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the British Medical Association still consider that there is a gap in respect of dependants? Will the right hon Gentleman bear in mind that dependants, whom none of us would wish to exclude, would actually benefit from such a medical examination?

Mr. Robinson

I should like to see how present arrangements are working out, because to require the medical examination of dependants would involve legislation. The right hon. Gentleman might like to know that in the first six weeks since X-ray apparatus has been established at London Airport, out of 150 X-ray examinations three active and two non-active cases of tuberculosis were discovered.

Sir D. Renton

Would the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind in his further consideration of this matter that there is strong medical evidence, which I believe has been put by the B.M.A., to the effect that healthy immigrants have been the cause of propagating disease when they have come to this country?

Mr. Robinson

I am not sure that I know the evidence to which the right hon. and learned Gentleman refers, but I shall be glad to consider anything that he likes to put before me.

Mr. Fisher

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many people feel that it would be more efficient to establish a health test in the country of origin rather than at the port of entry? If the right hon. Gentleman agrees, will it be possible for him to approve and equip medical health teams to go out to the key countries in the Commonwealth?

Mr. Robinson

As the hon. Member knows, there is a mission going shortly to Commonwealth countries and it will be within their competence to discuss the possibility of such things. As at present advised, I do not think that it would be a very practical solution, but my mind is not closed on it.