HL Deb 16 December 2002 vol 642 cc74-5WA
Baroness Rawlings

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 28 November (HL Deb, cols. 903–06), what progress has been made to extend the East Kent pilot scheme for screening of asylum seekers for tuberculosis to all areas of the country. [HL507]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

The East Kent pilot scheme for screening of asylum seekers for tuberculosis will be independently reviewed in January 2003. The review will help inform decisions about the future of the scheme both in Kent and throughout the rest of the country.

Baroness Rawlings

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 28 November (HL Deb, cols. 903–06), what proportion of asylum seekers entering the United Kingdom via East Kent ports are infected with tuberculosis. [HL508]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

Between 18 June and 29 November 2002, 4,516 asylum seekers were screened for tuberculosis in East Kent. Subsequently, 57 were referred to a chest clinic either with potential symptoms or high grade Heaf test results, and so far none has been diagnosed with tuberculosis.