HC Deb 18 June 1930 vol 240 cc400-1
51. Mr. MILLS

asked the Minister of Health if, seeing that 51,000 people died of cancer in the year 1928–29, but that only 550 beds are available, and these secured according to means by patients from all parts of the Empire, he will state what financial assistance is given by the State?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Miss Lawrence)

No financial assistance is provided from the Exchequer for the provision of beds for the special treatment of cancer, but I may remind my hon. Friend that Parliament has voted £100,000 towards the provision of radium. I should add that the figure of 550 beds mentioned in the question is presumably an estimate of the number of beds available only in those hospitals which are devoted wholly or mainly to the treatment of cancer, but it will be understood that the majority of cancer patients who are treated in hospital are admitted to general or public authorities' hospitals.

Mr. MILLS

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the vast majority of these beds in hospitals at the moment are still subject to a means test, under which something has to be paid, and that, consequently, thousands of cases have to go by default for lack of necessary help by the Government?

Dr. VERNON DAVIES

Is the hon. Lady aware that at no hospital in the Kingdom is a cancer case refused admission if any treatment can be given for its good?

Earl WINTERTON

May I ask the hon. Lady, as chairman of a hospital, if she will give a reply to the monstrous suggestion made by the hon. Gentleman opposite that cases are refused by voluntary hospitals on a means test? As chairman of a hospital, I greatly resent that suggestion.

Miss LAWRENCE

I think that the only way in which I can reply to an allegation of that kind is by answering a question which might ask for further details, and in which I might be asked to investigate.

Mr. McSHANE

Is it not the case that numbers of people who know that they will be expected to pay something when they get in are in that sense deterred from entering a hospital?

Viscountess ASTOR

Is it not the fact that a great many people are willing to pay for treatment if they can get into a hospital? It is not that hospitals will not take them; a great many people are willing to pay but cannot get into any hospital, because there are not the hospitals.