§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) in view of the fact that during the last quarter there were reported in Newham 26 cases of dysentery, 47 of tuberculosis, 21 of malaria and eight of typhoid as against six cases of dysentery, 17 of tuberculosis, two of malaria and one of typhoid in neighbouring Redbridge, and, as local medical opinion states that this is due to immigrants returning from holidays in their home countries, what action he has taken or will take to have medical examinations in such cases;
(2) in view of the fact that figures for the last quarter show that there is a very high incidence of malaria, tuberculosis and dysentry in the London borough of Newham and that more than one-third of cases of typhoid reported in Greater London came from Newham, what were the known or estimated reasons for this; 261W and what action he proposes to take to remedy this situation.
§ Mr. MoyleI am aware of the high rate of notifications of certain diseases in Newham in comparison with neighbouring districts, though the numbers fluctuate considerably from quarter to quarter. It may well be that those returning from holidays in endemic areas contribute to this incidence, but there is no ready means of differentiating such people from other travellers, and special examinations for the conditions specified in my hon. Friend's Questions would be impracticable, particularly in view of the large numbers involved. Commanders of aircraft, masters of ships and immigration officers notify port health authorities of any passenger showing signs of serious communicable disease.
This is primarily a matter of health education and my Department's leaflet "Notice to Travellers" together with an
NUMBER OF CHILDREN ADOPTED UNDER ORDERS REGISTERED IN 1973 TO 1977 BY SEX AND AGE England and Wales 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 All Ages— Male and Female … … 22,247 22,502 21,299 17,621 12,748 Male … … … … 11,474 11,503 10,786 8,939 6,548 Female … … … 10,733 10,999 10,513 8,682 6,200 Under 6 months— Male … … … … 1,046 772 649 813 623 Female … … … 917 724 612 709 534 6–8 months— Male … … … … 1,794 1,536 1,367 835 776 Female … … … 1,484 1,355 1,223 769 639 9–11 months— Male … … … … 415 440 370 258 207 Female … … … 370 345 327 224 166 1 year— Male … … … … 702 655 567 422 310 Female … … … 641 592 468 352 285 2 years— Male … … … … 626 592 582 440 319 Female … … … 643 630 492 428 272 3–4 years— Male … … … … 1,895 1,899 1,674 1,303 911 Female … … … 1,791 1,780 1,740 1,271 905 5–9 years— Male … … … … 3,381 3,761 3,641 3,082 2,116 Female … … … 3,276 3,701 3,637 3,079 2,069 10–14 years— Male … … … … 1,366 1,556 1,625 1,529 1,070 Female … … … 1,414 1,576 1,691 1,596 1,122 15–17 years— Male … … … … 249 292 311 257 216 Female … … … 237 296 323 254 208