HC Deb 17 April 1934 vol 288 cc901-2W
Mr. GROVES

asked the Minister of Health whether the medical officers of the Ministry report the form of small-pox recently notified at Blackburn to have been of the variola major or the variola, minor type?

Sir H. YOUNG

I am advised that the recent outbreak of small-pox in Blackburn was an outbreak of variola major.

Mr. GROVES

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of small-pox were wrongly diagnosed in connection with the recent outbreak at Blackburn; and whether it is proposed to take proceedings against the medical attendant or attendants concerned for failing to notify these cases as small-pox?

Sir H. YOUNG

Four of the early cases were origially diagnosed as chicken-pox. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. An error in diagnosis does not constitute an offence under the Infectious Disease (Notification) Acts.

Mr. GROVES

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the first case which led to the recent outbreak of small-pox at Blackburn was a man employed at a cotton mill where he handled cotton daily; and whether the evidence indicates that he contracted the disease in the performance of his duties?

Sir H. YOUNG

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have no satisfactory evidence on the second part.