Britain's main opposition Conservative party promised Tuesday to test immigrants from outside the European Union (EU) for HIV, tuberculosis and other diseases if it wins elections expected in May. Under the plan, modelled on schemes in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, potential migrants from outside the EU, except asylum seekers, would be subject to the medical checks.
The ruling Labour Party immediately dismissed the plan as an attempt to catch up with the government's own immigration policy, while groups fighting HIV/AIDS condemned it as both ineffective and prejudicial.
Conservative leader Michael Howard told BBC radio that the "simple" aim of the plan was to "minimise the public health risks of diseases such as TB" and thus avoid an extra burden on the state-funded National Health Service.
Government figures showed tuberculosis (TB) had increased 25 percent over the past 10 years and nearly two-thirds of sufferers were born abroad, he added.
Visas would be turned down automatically only for those testing positive for tuberculosis, but reviewed on a case-by-case basis for those testing positive for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis or other diseases.
Britain's political parties are competing hard to address public concerns about immigration as the campaign heats up for general elections widely expected on May 5.
Home Office figures show 139,675 people were granted settlement in 2003, 20 percent more than 2002. There were no immediate figures for the number of people leaving the country.
The Conservatives lag well behind the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair in opinion polls, and have identified immigration as a means to make up ground.
"At the next election people will face a clear choice: limited and controlled immigration under the Conservatives or unlimited immigration under Mr Blair," Howard was quoted as saying in Tuesday's Guardian newspaper.
In January, Howard said he would impose an annual quota on people claiming political asylum if his party took power.
Blair's Labour Party fought back last week by unveiling a raft of tough measures to make it harder for unskilled foreigners to seek work or shelter in Britain.
According to the latest Conservative proposals, people coming to Britain from outside the EU temporarily for between six and 12 months from a "high incidence TB country" will have to undergo a chest X-ray.
All those intending to stay for longer than a year would be required to have a full medical examination.
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