INCIDENCE OF TB IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

That this House notes with concern the recently published Health Protection Agency statistics which reported the biggest rise in the number of TB cases since 1999; is further concerned by reports that TB specialist nurse positions are being left vacant or downgraded despite the publication of the Chief Medical Officer's TB Action Plan of 2004; and calls upon the Government to confront the problem of TB now by ensuring that the TB Action Plan is implemented and greater priority given to tackling the increasing burden of TB in all parts of the United Kingdom.