§ Mr. Goughasked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement as to the issue under National Health Service prescription of masks as a method of protection against smoke-polluted fog.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodYes. I am advised that in the present state of our knowledge no mask which people could be expected to wear for long periods is likely to give complete protection, but that there are certain types of mask which may give some help to those most likely to be affected by smoke-polluted fog, namely, people suffering from existing disease of the heart or lungs.
I am, therefore, proposing to enable doctors, if they feel it to be desirable in each individual case, to prescribe under 105W the National Health Service certain specified types of mask for patients suffering from these conditions who live or work in an area where smoke-polluted fog is likely to occur. I am making and laying the necessary regulation today. It will become effective on 17th November and masks should normally be available under the National Health Service from that date. I understand that similar arrangements will be made in Scotland shortly.
The combination of intense fog and cold which occurred in London last December and which, fortunately, has been an extremely rare occurrence since meteorological records have been kept, proved dangerous to people already suffering from disease of the heart or lungs. It is, however, important not to confuse it with the more normal fogs with which we have long been familiar nor to exaggerate its effect on normal healthy people.
The long-term problem is of course that of the removal of the causes of pollution
106W
JANUARY-SEPTEMBER, 1953 Forces Month (1953) Men Women Recruitment Wastage Increase (+) or Decrease (-) Recruitment Wastage increase (+) or Decrease (-) Metropolitan January 115 83 +32 13 4 + 9 February 95 96 - 1 17 4 +13 March 103 113 -10 25 7 +18 April 81 90 - 9 17 3 +14 May 54 96 -42 3 2 + 1 June 59 96 -37 8 6 + 2 July 48 68 -20 11 5 + 6 August 87 111 -24 11 8 + 3 September 81 112 -31 — 4 - 4 Counties January 173 108 +65 16 9 + 7 February 146 107 +39 13 10 + 3 March 163 132 +31 18 12 + 6 April 136 146 -10 17 12 + 5 May 138 157 -19 9 10 - 1 June 121 147 -26 6 7 - 1 July 121 114 + 7 14 12 + 2 August 160 164 - 4 12 12 — September 155 149 + 6 12 9 + 3 Cities and boroughs January 140 118 +22 10 5 + 5 February 142 108 +34 12 8 + 4 March 137 114 +23 16 11 + 5 April 108 133 -25 10 4 + 6 May 95 135 -40 11 8 + 3 June 156 121 +35 16 13 + 3 July 107 130 -23 12 15 - 3 August 121 134 -13 10 10 — September 131 147 -16 21 10 + 11 and my hon. Friend will be aware that this is being studied by a Committee under the Chairmanship of Sir Hugh Beaver. This was appointed by my right hon. Friends the Minister of Housing and Local Government and the Minister of Fuel and Power, and I understand that it will report shortly.