§ 72. Sir B. Strossasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that mass X-rays of coalminers at pitheads surveys in the North Staffordshire coalfield showed that the active tuberculosis rate 188W has fallen from 3.9 per thousand in the period 1956–57 to 1.2 per thousand in 1961 to 1963; how this compares with the rate for the general population of North Staffordshire; and why this appreciable improvement has taken place.
§ Mr. BraineYes. The comparable figures for the general population in the area served by the mass radiography units in North Staffordshire were 3.1 per thousand in 1956, 2.5 in 1957, 1.8 in 1961, 1.7 in 1962 and 1.6 in 1963. Tuberculosis has decreased throughout the country in this period.