asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of known cases of syphilis, gonorrhoea and other venereal diseases in the first half of 1965 and in the first half of 1970.

The numbers of new cases attending clinics in England were:

	Syphilis	Gonorrhoea	Chancroid
First half of 1965	1,894	17,246	24
First half of 1970	1,600	23,726	30

The corresponding figures for non-gonococcal urethritis, which is not statutorily defined as a venereal disease but which is sexually transmitted, were 13,499 and 21,101.