§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for increased medical checks or medical screening on people subject to immigration control and travellers entering United Kingdom airports and ports for the detection of tuberculosis, cholera and typhoid; who will be subject to these measures; on what basis people will be chosen; what diseases or conditions will be checked; under what authority these checks will be made; what will be the outcome for persons found to be suffering from any of the prescribed conditions or diseases; what changes there will be in statutory instruments and immigration rules; and what co-operation there has been with the Home Office on the immigration implications of increased screening and checks.
§ Mr. SackvilleCurrent policy is that new immigrants from countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis entering the United Kingdom for six months or more are screened for tuberculosis. The aim of this policy is not only to identify those with active disease so that they can be referred for further investigation and treatment, but to be able to offer the protection of BCG immunisation where appropriate. The Department, in consultation with the Home Department and within the remit of the inter-departmental working group on tuberculosis, is reviewing the procedures in order that the policy may be more effectively implemented.
The Department has no plans to screen travellers or new immigrants to the United Kingdom for cholera or typhoid.