§ Mr. Messerasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is only one small colony for 12 patients suffering from leprosy in this country, and that a Middlesex patient of high infectivity could not be admitted recently owing to lack of accommodation; and if he will sanction financial support to this colony to enable it to be extended to admit all patients deemed to be infective in character?
§ Sir K. WoodI am aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers. I am advised, however, that prolonged and close contact with an infected person is necessary for the transmission of this disease and that in the conditions normally existing in this country the risk of transmission is negligible. I understand further that the patient in question is now in a London hospital and that she will be admitted to the colony as soon as a bed is available. The local authority in whose area she resides are prepared to make a substantial contribution to her maintenance, and steps are being taken by the managers of the colony to raise voluntary funds for an extension of the accommodation.
§ Mr. Messerasked the Minister of Health how many cases of leprosy in this country have been reported to the Ministry of Health; how many are known to have been contracted here; and how many are regarded as being of high infectivity?
§ Sir K. WoodCases of leprosy are not required to be reported to my Department, but I have information of 38 such cases which have come to their notice in this country. I know of only four cases over a long period of years in which it is considered that the infection was incurred in this country. In each of these there was a history of prolonged and 2167W intimate contact with a person who contracted the disease abroad. I have no information with regard to the last part of the question.