14-04-04

Barrett secures debate on global threat of T.B.

John Barrett, the Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, has secured a debate in Parliament on the global spread of tuberculosis.

The news comes after Mr Barrett attended the Global Summit on Tuberculosis in India last month.

The summit, which coincided with World Tuberculosis Day, brought together Government Ministers, international organisations and others to discuss what more can be done to tackle the global spread of TB.  Mr Barrett, a Member of the House of Commons International Development Select Committee, was part of the UK parliamentary delegation.

Now, Mr Barrett will propose a debate in Parliament next Wednesday (21st April) to discuss the issue.  A Minister from the Department for International Development will be in attendance to reply.

In a statement, John Barrett said:

"After 40 years of decline, the number of people dying from TB is now increasing, with one person dying every fifteen seconds. 

"The summit I attended in New Delhi was important in terms of getting international agreement on a way forward. However, warm words will not be enough.  What we need is action and quickly if the spread of TB is to be halted and then reversed. 

"The UK Government, which has a good reputation in international development, must take a leading role in these efforts.  Hopefully, this debate will give Ministers a chance to explain what action they intend to take."

ENDS