§ 112. Mr. M. MacPhersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the improvement which took place in the tuberculosis situation in 1950 has continued in 1951.
§ Miss Herbison:Yes. In the first quarter of 1951 there were 723 deaths from all forms of tuberculosis as compared with 826 in the first quarter of 1950. For the first 23 weeks of 1951 there were 4,489 new cases notified as compared with 4,678 in the corresponding period of 1950. Apart altogether from beds in Swiss Sanatoria, the number of beds available in Scottish hospitals for the treatment of tuberculosis increased by 176 in the first quarter of 1951. But while this trend is most encouraging, it is no reason whatever for relaxing our efforts in any way and I am still most anxious that all concerned should give first priority to the improvement of services for the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis in Scotland.