§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what evidence he has of an increase in the incidence of tuberculosis in Scotland; and what steps are being taken to ascertain the cause.
§ Mr. Harry EwingThere has been no increase in the number of cases of tuberculosis notified annually in Scotland. The rapid decline in notifications which began in 1950 has slowed down and notifications have now levelled out; in the years 1972–75 the incidence has remained at 24 cases per 100,000 of population. The incidence of tuberculosis is already watched very carefully by an expert committee, and I am considering whether any further monitoring is necessary to establish why the decline in notifications has halted.