HC Deb 08 June 1964 vol 696 cc35-6W
Dr. A. Thompson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will extend the terms of reference of the proposed committee of inquiry into the source of the Aberdeen typhoid outbreak to include an investigation of the methods adopted to deal with the outbreak including possible reforms in public health organisation and policy, particularly in the relative powers of initiative of local authorities and the central Government.

Mr. Noble

No. As I have informed the House today, the object of the inquiry will be to discover the cause of the typhoid epidemic and the means by which it was disseminated; I do not think that it would be necessary or helpful to extend the inquiry in the way suggested.

Dr. A. Thompson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the event of a typhoid outbreak, he will advise local authorities to issue handbills immediately to citizens in the area concerned, providing detailed advice on personal hygiene and other precautions to be taken.

Mr. Noble

I have no doubt that local authorities on the advice of their medical officers of health would take immediate steps to provide the people in their areas with all necessary advice. As the hon. Member will know the precautions to be taken have been widely publicised during the present outbreak.

Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now name the members, in addition to the chairman, Sir David Milne, of the typhoid inquiry; and what are their terms of reference.

Mr. Noble

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my statement in the House today.

Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what stocks of the appropriate drugs and chemicals he has made available to the medical officer of health and his staff in Aberdeen and in the relevant hospitals and nursing homes in and about Aberdeen to enable them to deal with the present typhoid epidemic there.

Mr. Noble

As indicated in my replies of 3rd and 5th June to the hon. Member for Dunfermline Burghs (Dr. A. Thompson) adequate stocks of drugs and chemicals are available.

Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will specify the nature, kind and time of his offers of additional medical and nursing help to the medical officer of health and his staff in Aberdeen; and what was the result of those offers.

Mr. Noble

My officers have been in touch with the medical officer of health throughout the epidemic, and have asked on a number of occasions whether he required assistance. They also conveyed an offer from another local authority to provide additional staff. They have been assured that the public health staff of Aberdeen are able to cope with the situation, but would gladly accept these offers if the need should arise.