§ Mr. Rhodesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what medical inspections are carried out in respect of men working in the kitchens of Durham Prison; what circumstances led to the contracting of venereal disease by men in this prison; and whether he will make a statement.
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§ Sir F. SoskiceAll prisoners who work in prison kitchens undergo a special medical examination before doing so. The medical officer visits the kitchens each day and the officers in charge are instructed to report any prisoner who appears ill.
On 3rd May a male prisoner at Durham reported sick with a venereal infection. Medical examination of the two prisoners who shared his cell revealed one other case of venereal disease, and two more cases were subsequently discovered as a result of a medical examination of all male prisoners. It is believed that the infection was introduced into the prison by one of these four prisoners, who had probably been incubating the disease at the time of his medical examination on reception.