Written question asked by David Davis (Conservative) on Monday, 21 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 March 2005. It was answered by Charles Clarke (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 March 2005 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people are employed by the Government to test those entering the United Kingdom for tuberculosis; and at which ports of entry they are based.

Answer: David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are employed by the Government to test those entering the United Kingdom for tuberculosis; and at which ports of entry they are based. [217745] Mr. Charles Clarke: The Department of Health advises that staff carrying out medical examinations at ports of entry in England are provided by the Health Protection Agency or the relevant primary care trust. Staff are not necessarily based full time on site at the port but may instead be on call when required. No figures are collected centrally on the number of staff involved. We understand that the position elsewhere in the United Kingdom is broadly similar. Arrangements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for the administrations responsible for those parts of the United Kingdom. At overseas posts, a number of medical referees are retained to advise entry clearance officers on medical reports obtained by prospective entrants. No figures are collected centrally on the number of referees involved.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 431 c1690W;431 c1686W; 217745
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Immigration Disease control Infectious diseases Migrants Medical examinations Ports Staff Screening Tuberculosis Department of Health
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk