§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the number of cases of respiratory tuberculosis notified in England and Wales in each of the years 1970 to 1975, inclusive; and what was the difference in notification rates between those born in the British Isles and those born in other countries but living in Great Britain.
§ Dr. OwenNumbers of notified cases of respiratory tuberculosis for 1970 to 1974 were as follows. The figures for 1975 are not yet available.
1970 9,487 1971 9,133 1972 8,716 1973 8,727 1974 8,111 Notifications do not require the country of birth to be recorded.
Studies undertaken by the British Thoracic and Tuberculosis Association have, however, demonstrated a continuing high incidence of tuberculosis among immigrant populations, notably from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Africa. Advice on identifying and vaccinating such immigrant children, prepared by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, was circulated to doctors by the Chief Medical Officer in October 1975.