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, 15 March 2005. It was answered by Charles Clarke (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 March 2005 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what action is taken if an individual is tested on entry to the UK and found to have tuberculosis.

Answer: David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is taken if an individual is tested on entry to the UK and found to have tuberculosis. [217744] Mr. Charles Clarke: Cases of tuberculosis (TB), which are identified at the ports are currently followed up within the United Kingdom by the national health service. This is because refusal of entry and summary removal on grounds of public health would put the person concerned and other passengers at risk. Under the new approach announced in our recent asylum and immigration strategy, we will apply TB checks overseas, rather than at the port of entry, thus ensuring that TB is treated before the person concerned travels to the UK.

Secondary information