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Medical Inspection of Aliens
During the year, 5,351 aliens were referred for medical inspection, compared with 5,314 in 1967.
Forms "Port 12" were issued on 40 occasions. Twenty-five aliens were refused entry on grounds of
health, and mental instability accounted for fifteen of these cases.
In the latter part of the year, a few women were observed to be entering the United Kingdom
for the purpose of having their pregnancies terminated; in particular, they were observed to come
from Germany and the United States. This practice was associated with the coming into force of
the Abortions Act.
Medical Inspection of Commonwealth Immigrants
The Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962 was amended during the year. As a result and with
effect from the beginning of March, the medical inspectors were required to examine all wives and
children of voucher-holders, hitherto exempted. These examinations were, of course, additional to
those already required for voucher-holders, who had not been examined in their country of origin,
students, dependants and other categories of immigrant.
The figure of 46,828 for 1968 reflects the impact of the amendments to the Act on the work
carried out by the medical inspectors. This figure compares with a figure of 16,061 for 1967. The
brunt of the work fell upon the medical inspectors in Terminal 3, and as has been pointed out elsewhere
in the Report, it was necessary to increase the medical establishment by two.
Comparative figures over the last five years are:—
1964 12,531
1965 13,249
1966 12,516
1967 16,061
1968 46,828
Of the total examined, 34,821 were either voucher-holders, wives or children, whilst 11,927 were
in the category of student or elderly dependant (other than a wife). Fifty-six immigrants were referred
because they gave their health as a reason for their visit to the United Kingdom, whilst twenty-four