§ 26. Sir GEORGE GREENWOODasked the Comptroller of the Household, as presenting the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he is aware that the funds in the hands of the Commissioners are hardly sufficient to enable them to meet the just claims upon them; whether it is anticipated that by reason of the War those claims will be very largely increased; and whether, in these circumstances he will consider the desirability of applying the moneys provided by Parliament primarily for the purpose of defraying the expenses of sanatorium benefit, under Section 16 of the National Insurance Act, 1911, for such purpose in preference to expending them on painful experiments upon living animals?
§ The COMPTROLLER of the HOUSEHOLD (Sir Edwin Cornwall)I am aware that the funds available for the treatment of tuberculosis in this country need to be increased, and that, by reason of the War, this need has become more urgent, but I have no doubt that whatever provision is made for this purpose Parliament would require that provision should also be made for continuing the essential work carried on by the Medical Research Committee in the interests of the health of the community.
Mr. CHANCELLORWhat advantage in regard to the national health is expected from experiments such as these, the cutting of glands, and the severing of nerves, and allowing the animals to die after hours of agony?
§ 27. Sir G. GREENWOODasked whether the painful experiments on living animals performed by Messrs. Noel Paton and Leonard Finlay, and described by them in the quarterly journal of experimental physiology for March, 1917, were done under Regulations made by the Commissioners as provided by Section 16 of the National Insurance Act, 1911; if so, whether such Regulations were duly laid before both Houses of Parliament as required by Section 65 of that Act; and upon what date were they so laid?
§ Sir E. CORNWALLI am unable to add anything to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on 28th June as to the methods of work on medical research under the Medical Research Committee. 892 The Regulations made by the Commissioners were laid before both Houses of Parliament, as required by Section 65 of the National Insurance Act, 1911, on 10th February, 1914.
§ Sir G. GREENWOODDo these Regulations give the slightest indication of the experiments to be made under them?
§ Sir E. CORNWALLI think I replied to that question in the answer I gave on 28th June.
§ Sir G. GREENWOODThat answer did not give the information. I want to know if the Regulations which are required to be laid upon the Table, and under which these experiments are performed, give the slightest indication that such experiments are to be undertaken by the Medical Research Committee?
§ Sir E. CORNWALLThe Regulations make no reference to such experiments as the hon. Member refers to. As I told the hon. Gentleman on the 28th June, the scheme and general purposes of the Research Committee are passed by the Commissioners. The methods for carrying out the work are not decided by the Commissioners or the House?
§ Sir E. CORNWALLCertainly. I will send the hon. Gentleman a copy.