§ Q2. Mr. Dormandasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the comments which he invited from the joint Cancer Research Campaign, the Medical Research Council and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund Coordinating Committee for Cancer Research, following the publication of Lord Zuckerman's report on cancer research.
§ The Prime MinisterI have received comments from the Co-ordinating Committee for Cancer Research which coordinates the activities in this field of the Medical Research Council, the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and the Cancer Research Campaign. Some of the committee's proposals, as the committee noted, are already being budgeted for by voluntary bodies. For the rest, my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Education and Science, Social Services and Scotland are making a comprehensive examination of the committee's suggestions in the light of the resources available.
§ Mr. DormandDo not the comments of those bodies show the deepest concern about the future of cancer research? The Prime Minister has made promises, including a pledge to the President of the United States, but will not any increase in the funds available for cancer research be at the expense of much-needed research in other fields in accordance with 252 the Zuckerman Report? In view of the false hopes which the Prime Minister has raised and of the increasing number of deaths from cancer, will he make a personal, clear and unequivocal statement at the earliest possible date?
§ The Prime MinisterIn reply to the last part of that supplementary question, it will not be possible for me to make a statement before the House rises, but I hope to do so in the autumn. One of the main points which was made by the bodies I mentioned is that any increase in expenditure on cancer research should not be at the expense of other forms of medical activity. When Lord Zuckerman made his report to me, one of the main points he emphasised was that what was required was not a sudden surge of expenditure because it would not be possible to use it productively. What he wanted was a steady increase in expenditure, and we have increased it over the past year from £2½ million to about £3 million.
§ Mr. PavittIs it not surprising that after a period of 10 years, during which Minister after Minister in both Labour and Conservative Governments have told me from the Dispatch Box that there has been no shortage of funds for medical research into cancer, there should still be a shortage of funds for research into rheumatism and arthritis? Is it not disturbing that the Zuckerman Report and the co-ordinating committee have said that there is urgent need for all sectors, including the career structure in this area of research, to be given help? Therefore, will the Prime Minister call for an immediate meeting between the Ministers responsible and the Departments concerned so that we do not have to wait too long for something to happen?
§ The Prime MinisterI asked Lord Zuckerman to make his report to me personally. If I had not taken that initiative the recommendation would not have been made, nor would the comment of various other bodies. I have said that my right hon. Friends are working on this matter. The various bodies which we have consulted have indicated the specific projects which they believe will be covered entirely by their voluntary funds; others will be covered in part by voluntary funds, and there are those on 253 which they would like Government assistance. My right hon. Friends are now working speedily on this matter.