§ 30. Sir GEORGE GREENWOODasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a series of experiments on over eighty dogs and cats performed by Messrs. D. Noel Paton and Leonard Findlay and described by them in the "Quarterly Journal of Experimental Physiology" for March, 1917, consisting of the cutting away of the thyroid and parathyroid glands together with, in some cases, the severing of the sciatic nerve, and keeping the animals under observation for long periods until they either died or had to be destroyed; whether these experiments have his sanction; whether they were paid for by funds supplied by the Medical Research Committee under the National Insurance Act; what purpose these experiments were intended to sub-serve; and whether he will in future pre vent such experiments which are paid for by moneys provided by the general taxpayers of the country, numbers of whom disapprove of such practices?
§ Mr. BRACEI am aware of these experiments, and I have received a copy of the publication mentioned. Certificates for the experiments were duly submitted, and my right hon. Friend's predecessor after consulting the Advisory Committee decided not to disallow them. The purpose of the experiments was to investigate and, if possible, to ascertain the cause of the disease known as "tetany." 1976 I understand the cost of the investigation was in part defrayed by the Medical Research Committee, but any question as to this should be addressed to the National Health Insurance Commission.
§ Sir G. GREENWOODWhat I wanted to ask is, is it thought right by the Government that I and other taxpayers should be compelled to pay for experiments which we hold in abhorrence and which we think are morally wrong? Is that the policy of the Government under the National Insurance Act?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter for argument.
§ Sir G. GREENWOODI submit it is a matter for the Government to consider.
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is a matter for the House to decide.