§ Mr. Silkinasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the results of investigations carried out by the medical officer of health to the Post Office, in connection with quarantine rules in respect of infectious diseases, which prove that the existing rules of quarantine involve unnecessary idleness, and therefore impose a needless loss of healthy man-power; and whether he will take steps to bring these conclusions to the notice of industry and to all medical officers of health?
§ Mr. E. BrownYes, Sir; the conclusions referred to are in general accord with the advice which my Department has given for years past when guidance on the subject has been sought. My medical advisers and those of the Board of Education have recently given the matter further consideration, and I hope that very shortly the two Departments will issue to local education authorities a schedule recommending revised periods of exclusion from school of patients suffering from infectious disease or their contacts. As regards industry, I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service.