§ Lord REIGATEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are satisfied that the relaxation of X-ray examination procedures for National Health Service staff proposed in Health Circular HC (78) 3 is justified.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLYes, my Lords, the circular is designed to decrease the hazards of radiation dose for National Health Service employees by eliminating unnecessary X-ray examinations, while retaining examinations in cases where they are necessary for the protection of patients or staff. The recommendations contained in the circular were endorsed by the Standing Medical Advisory Committee and the circular was only issued after consultation with appropriate professional bodies.
§ Lord REIGATEMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that information—most of which is in fact contained in the Health Circular to which I referred—but can he tell me first how much will be saved and what economies will be effected as a result of this? Secondly, in view of what I understand to be a recrudescence of tuberculosis, which very often affects the immigrant population who work in the Health Service, will the noble Lord assure the House that he will keep this matter under very careful review?
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, I would point out that this is a circular which is issued for guidance. It does not lay down that certain things must take place within certain periods. Since the 352 issue of that circular we have, I think, had only nine letters, none of which has called the suggestions into question. They have asked for more information.
With regard to the immigrant situation, we are aware of the difficulties there. Records show that immigrants tend to develop tuberculosis after arrival in this country. This means that if they are employed in the National Health Service and this circular, which is a matter for guidance, is acted upon, then it would deal with anything of that kind.