HC Deb 14 February 1955 vol 537 cc8-9W
Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Health what factors have caused the increase in the number of persons suffering from tuberculosis in the County Borough of Sunderland from 839 at 31st December, 1951, to 1,695 at 31st December, 1954.

Mr. Iain Macleod

As I have already informed the hon. Member, the figure for 31st December, 1951, was 1,618 not 839. The slight rise since then does not necessarily indicate an increase in the number of persons suffering from tuberculosis but may be due to improvements in the ascertainment of cases by such means as contact tracing, increased use of mass X-ray facilities and better diagnosis.