HC Deb 24 May 1938 vol 336 cc1038-9
45. Mr. David Adams

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that in case of war the British Empire would be without access to important chemical compounds of which Germany has a virtual monopoly; whether he is aware that German firms producing these chemical agents do not as a rule grant licences for manufacture in this country; and whether any Government action is contemplated in view not only of possible war-time contingencies, but also of the continuous and urgent needs of the British tropical Empire?

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Earl Winterton)

The Lord President is well aware of the fact that the discovery of new chemical compounds of certain kinds, particularly those which can be used in the treatment of some tropical and other diseases, at present depends largely on research work undertaken by industrial concerns in Germany, with the consequence that supplies of these new substances can for a longer or a shorter period be obtained only from abroad. It is for this reason that the Government have approved the proposal of the Medical Research Council for expenditure at the rate of £30,000 per annum on research in chemotherapy, to enable this country to play a greater part in future in making new discoveries in this field. The object and nature of the new scheme were explained in the " Report of the Medical Research Council for the Year 1936–1937," which was laid before Parliament in February of this year. (Cmd. 5671.)

Mr. Adams

Is the Minister satisfied with this small sum of £30,000 a year? Is it at all equal to the requirements of the situation?

Earl Winterton

since questions were asked on this subject a week ago I went into the matter very carefully with the Lord President's Department and the Medical Research Council, and the answer to the hon. Gentleman's question is that there are other grants in connection with this research, in addition to this new sum of money, which will, for the first two years, be expended largely in making new premises for the Council. The result will be greatly to enlarge the field of research.

Mr. Adams

Do I understand that the Government are satisfied that enough is being done?

Earl Winterton

I am concerned only with the particular question of research. Questions of supply should be addressed to the Board of Trade. In this question of research I am satisfied, and so is the Lord President's Department, that, for the moment, sufficient is being done. The matter can be reviewed at some future date.