§ Sir C. YATEasked the Minister of Health how many cases of leprosy there are in this country and what steps are being taken to segregate persons suffering from this disease and to provide for their treatment and maintenance; whether the disease is notifiable or not; and what success has attended remedial treatment?
§ Sir A. MONDIn regard to the first part of my hon. Friend's question, I have no definite information as to the number of cases of leprosy in this country as the disease is not notifiable. The number is, however, very small and the cases which have been reported to the Ministry have without exception been contracted abroad. I am advised that, as the infectivity of the disease in this country is very restricted, measures for the compulsory segregation of persons suffering therefrom would not be justified. Up to the present no specific cure for leprosy has been discovered, but the matter is being studied by workers in various countries.