§ Dame Joan Vickersasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action is being taken in regard to research and control of venereal diseases; and how many social workers and medical students are receiving special training to help to combat the spreading of these diseases.
§ Mr. EnnalsMinisterial responsibility for basic medical research and medical education rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science. My Department's programme of medical and operational research relevant to the health and welfare services includes some area surveys of morbidity which should provide more epidemiological information about venereal diseases. The Public Health Laboratory Service provides (jointly with the London Hospital) a V.D. Reference Laboratory which undertakes research in venereal diseases. My right hon. Friend has recently introduced revised procedures for improved contact tracing, which I am advised is the most effective method of controlling the spread of venereal disease. Hospital and local authorities recruit and train special workers for this purpose.
§ Dame Joan Vickersasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the considerable increase in the number of persons suffering from gonorrhoea and syphilis he is satisfied that there is an adequate number of clinics for the treatment of these diseases; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EnnalsIt is for hospital boards to keep under review the adequacy of their services. We have no reason to believe that provision for the treatment of these diseases is inadequate.