IMMIGRANTS should have compulsory health checks to ensure they are not carrying diseases like tuberculosis and HIV, say the Tories.
Party leader Michael Howard insisted Britain had to control those coming here to live and work to make sure they were not a public health risk and to protect access to the NHS.
He denied he was "playing with fire" by calling for the checks and limits on immigration.
"It's an issue that needs to be discussed calmly, reasonably and there are differences between the parties," said Mr Howard. "The government has not limited immigration and I've said consistently that we would bring forward proposals to deal with it - and that's what we're doing.
"It's plain common sense and it's exactly what they do in New Zealand, Canada and Australia. We want limited and controlled immigration."
Critics say compulsory HIV checks will be ineffective and expensive and would risk driving the disease underground. The HIV/Aids charity, the Terrence Higgins Trust, said the plan was based on prejudice and that there was no proof that similar measures had worked elsewhere.
Labour's Immigration Minister Des Browne said the Tories were too late, since the government's five-year plan for immigration and asylum included health screening for TB.
Checks
"The Tory policy is little more than a desperate attempt to catch up with Labour's five-year plan," he said. "It is uncosted, untested and would take Britain back to the chaos that reigned in immigration when Michael Howard was home secretary."
The Conservative plan unveiled today said people coming to Britain for less than six months would not get medical checks, but those wanting to stay for between six and 12 months from a country with a high rate of TB would have to have a chest X-ray.
People coming to Britain permanently from outside the EU would have to have an overall health check up including chest X-rays for TB and tests for hepatitis and HIV.
Only TB would automatically stop the granting of a visa. All other conditions would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
But Mr Howard said the plan would not affect the rights of asylum seekers genuinely fleeing persecution. He said they should not be denied refuge in Britain because of their health.
Behind the plan are figures showing four TB notifications for every 100,000 people born in Britain compared with 73 for every 100,000 born abroad. And 80 per cent of heterosexuals diagnosed with HIV here are thought to have been infected in Africa.
Meanwhile, a row broke over comments by Home Secretary Charles Clarke, who told Labour activists they had a moral and legal duty to encourage asylum seekers and economic migrants to seek refuge in Britain.
This appeared to conflict with the view of Tony Blair, who said net immigration would fall - and he pledged to protect Britain's borders.
Should immigrants have health checks? Have your say.
Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
too little too late and a waste of effort. Tests for TB need to be carried out before the immigrants board an aircraft or confined space, which is impractical in most cases.
and a correction, Canada does NOT have testing. Saudi Arabia does however.
I totally agree with this, people should not be let into the country, any country, if they are likely to be a burden. And that includes not being able to pay your way through working or savings and/or draining the health/prison system. You are wrong Mr Rose, Canada DOES have testing. See http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/before-3.html which states "You must pass a medical examination before coming to Canada". Before I was allowed into the country I had to have blood tests, chest x-ray and a medical examination.
Yes, I certainly agree with a health check, why should English people, hospitals, also the National Health, be responsible for Immigrants, I emigrated to America, I had to have a full physical before I entered the country, also my sponsor was responsible for 3 years if I did not obtain work, I could not collect any benefits whatsoever, it should be the same in England. I am sure you are aware that Britain is known as a "soft touch", go to Britain and be housed, kept by the Goverment, do not have to work. I even know of people on the sick for years, so easy for a doctor to issue a sick note.
P Davis
This man and the Tory's polices are becoming increasingly xenophobic. What's worse though, is the hypocrisy and arrogance of this man. He wants to give those seeking a better life in this country an even harder time. Let's remember that his own father was an illegal Romanian economic migrant, who came to this country in search of bread and dignity and to give his son, Michael, opportunities that he would never have had in Romania. He and many others have thrived in this country because of our open mindedness. It's now Michael's time to share his bread with the poor and to afford the same opportunities he received to others. I find his lack of compassion extremely disturbing.
Mr Howard and Mr Blair are obviously regular visitors to the British National Party website because over the past couple of weeks they have stolen all our policies, the only difference is that they will never implement any of them
This isn't racist, it's just common sense. A freind of mine had to undergo extensive tests for HIV, TB and hepatisis. The greatest health threat to this country comes from the African countries where HIV is rampant, and it makes perfect sense to deal with this first.