NOT GAY MARRIAGE, BUT IT'S A START:

Aids and TB tests for all immigrants in Tory plan (Philip Webster and Sam Lister, 2/15/05, Times of London)

THE Conservatives will fuel the debate on immigration today by promising that people travelling to live and work in Britain will have to undergo checks for HIV/Aids and other diseases.

Those intending to come for more than 12 months, or to settle permanently, would have to undergo full medical tests, paid for by themselves in their home country and which took account of conditions there, The Times has learnt.

They will need an overall check-up, chest X-rays for tuberculosis and tests for hepatitis and HIV. Those with TB would automatically be precluded from entry. All other conditions will be dealt with as individual cases.

People who wanted to come for 6-12 months from a country where there is a high incidence of TB would have to undergo a chest X-ray, followed by tests if necessary. People coming for less than six months would not face a test unless they wanted to work in healthcare, childcare or teaching.

The checks, based on controls in Australia, Canada and New Zealand, would have to be conducted by medical practitioners approved by Britain.

You can tell the Tories have brought in American advisors as they start hitting social issues they can make hay on.

Posted by Orrin Judd at February 14, 2005 11:00 PM