§ Commander Maitlandasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the number of working days lost during the winter months by epidemics of the common cold and influenza, he will initiate, without delay, a nation-wide campaign to encourage the voluntary use of inoculation 1570W against these diseases; and whether he will also arrange for the inoculation to be given at the expense of the Government.
§ Mr. BevanI am advised that the general results so far obtained of inoculation against the common cold and against influenza are not such as to justify the measures suggested by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. P. Freemanasked the Minister of Health whether in view of the prevalence of the common cold and influenza at this time of the year, he will appoint a committee composed of those interested in the promotion of health, as to the cause of this disability before embarking on any campaign for dealing with the matter.
§ Mr. BevanI am advised that medical research is constantly going on in this matter. I do not think such a committee as my hon. Friend suggests would assist research or is necessary to the publicity campaign which will be actively continued, to make known the rules of healthy living and to check infection through careless coughing and sneezing.