§ 29. Mr. Peelasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are taken or proposed to ensure that immigrants suffering from or who might have contracted leprosy abroad do not enter this country.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyImmigrants are subject to medical examination either in their country of origin or at our ports and airports. Examining doctors have been asked to look out particularly for leprosy. If the condition was discovered, entry would normally be refused except in the case of dependants with an entitlement to enter the country, who would be required to report to the medical officer of health at their destination.
§ Mr. PeelDoes this not show that it is absolutely essential that all intending immigrants coming from countries where this kind of disease is still prevalent should have a compulsory medical examination before being given visas for this country to save the expense of travel and disappointment when they get here?
§ Dr. DunwoodyThis would present considerable difficulties. We should remember that leprosy is sometimes difficult to diagnose in the early stage and impossible in the incubation stage. On the other hand, the number of new cases notified in this country in the whole of last year was 45, and the number of cases this year so far—and we are near the end of the year—is 24. Therefore, I do not think that we should let the problem get out of perspective.