75. Mr. Jenkinsasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the meeting of the Cardiff Public Health Committee at which a report was made to the effect that the mortality rate from cancer is rapidly increasing in Wales and Monmouthshire, that the Welsh Board of Health and the regional commissioner had both refused to take any action for the establishment of a radio-therapeutic institute for the treatment of cancer; and does he propose to take any steps to investigate the accuracy of this report?
§ Mr. ElliotI have seen Press reports of the meeting referred to. The Welsh Board of Health called a meeting of the local authorities concerned last year to discuss the provision of a radio-therapeutic institute for South Wales, and they have not in any way discouraged those authorities from establishing such an institute. It is primarily for the authorities themselves to proceed with proposals for this purpose. With regard to the last part of the question, I am, of course, aware that the statistics of deaths from cancer, both in England and in Wales, have shown a continuous increase during recent years, and steps have been taken, even during the present war, to forward plans for dealing with this disease under the recent Cancer Act.
Mr. JenkinsIn view of the statements made, will the Minister take steps to see that this conference is convened at an early date?
§ Mr. ElliotI will take steps to see that measures to deal with the cancer problem are forwarded in every possible way.