Dr. Morganasked the Home Secretary whether information is available as to the extent of venereal diseases in His Majesty's prisons or the percentage of known venereal disease cases in the different sexes and classified prison groups; and whether figures are available for different years or periods?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonAlthough there is in the prison records relating to each individual prisoner information as to the diagnosis and treatment of any disease, statistics have not been collated to give the information for which my hon. Friend asks. The question whether without undue clerical labour some sample figures can be got out showing how the incidence of venereal disease among the prison population to-day compares with its incidence in the years before the war is at present under consideration.
Dr. Morganasked the Home Secretary whether new steps are now being taken to ensure the proper diagnosis of cases of venereal disease in His Majesty's prisons, either on reception or subsequently; whether any medical examination for this purpose is made on discharge; whether any prison medical officers have yet been recognised as special practitioners under Regulation 33B by the Ministry of Health; and whether facilities exist in prisons for up-to-date treatment of both long and short term prisoners of both sexes?
§ Mr. MorrisonAll prisoners are subject to medical examination both on admission to prison and on discharge. For many years special care has been taken by the prison medical officers to diagnose cases of venereal disease, and whenever such disease is diagnosed to take proper steps for its treatment. At all prisons there are arrangements for securing that appropriate treatment is given. The question whether it would be advantageous that medical officers of prisons should be registered by the Minister of Health as special practitioners for the purposes of Defence Regulation 33B is at present under consideration.