§ Lord AVEBURY asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ On what date the Inquiry by Sir Henry Yellowlees on the role of the port medical officers in relation to 435 immigration control and the use of medical techniques for that purpose began; who visited posts in the Indian sub-continent in connection with this Inquiry and on what date; what changes in practice have been introduced since this Inquiry began; and whether they will ask Sir Henry if in his opinion Medical Inspectors at ports of entry should be called upon to advise Immigration Officers that it is undesirable to admit a passenger as opposed to giving them information on purely medical questions.
§ Lord BELSTEADThe review was announced by the previous Home Secretary on 19th January, 1979 and I understand began immediately thereafter. At the request of Sir Henry Yellowlees, his Deputy, Dr. N. J. B. Evans, visited the British Embassy at Islamabad and our High Commissions in New Delhi, Bombay and Dacca during September last year. Interim instructions were given in October 1979 to posts in the Indian sub-continent to the effect that they should not ask for bone X-ray examinations to help in the age assessment of adults. Such examination may still be sought to help assess the age of applicants who are believed to be below 21 years of age. The responsibilities of port medical inspectors are already within the scope of the review.