Immigration: Tuberculosis Testing Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateLord Morris of Handsworth
Main Page: Lord Morris of Handsworth (Labour - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Morris of Handsworth's debates with the Department for Transport
(12 years ago)
Lords ChamberMy Lords, my noble friend is absolutely right. Overseas tests already take place, first by X-ray and then by a sputum test in the event of a positive result. This results in cost savings because we do not need to treat someone suffering from tuberculosis if they come to the UK.
My Lords, given that tuberculosis is not exclusive to immigrants, does the Minister agree that everyone coming into the United Kingdom from some of the suspect countries should be tested?
My Lords, sadly, about 30% of the world’s population have latent TB. We would not test people from other European states even if they have a TB problem.