HC Deb 05 November 1946 vol 428 cc1208-10
45. Mr. Sutcliffe

asked the Lord President of the Council the estimated expenditure in Great Britain at the present time on research into the chronic rheumatic diseases; what proportion of this work is fostered by the Medical Research Council; and whether any increase or acceleration of such research can be achieved in the near future.

The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

I have no figures of expenditure from private sources such as the Empire Rheumatism Council and the Nuffield Foundation. Expenditure by the Medical Research Council directly on this problem is estimated at £3,500 per annum at the present moment, but the figure is subject to considerable fluctuation as new lines of approach to the subject are opened up. It also takes no account of fundamental research of a more general kind of which may indirectly throw light upon the problem.

Mr. Sutcliffe

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no type of disease in connection with which further research is more urgently needed just now, and is not the contribution by the Medical Research Council altogether insignificant?

Mr. Morrison

No, Sir, I do not agree. There is plenty of research being done otherwise, and the mere amount of money spent is not necessarily a guide to success. I have a feeling that probably the solution to this problem will be found some day by a sheer fluke when somebody is looking at something else which has nothing whatever to do with this particular problem.

Sir W. Wakefield

Could the right hon. Gentleman arrange for greater publicity to be given to the very valuable work done by the Medical Research Council? A good deal of ignorance of some of this work could be dispelled by such publicity.

Mr. Morrison

I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman, and I think there is a lot in what he says, but it is very difficult to train scientists to adopt a proper and appropriate sense of publicity. I expect they get a bit frightened by the Opposition who object to any sort of publicity about anything.

Mr. Eden

Could not the Government lend them one of their numerous public relations officers?

Mr. Morrison

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman recalls that this Government has not got so many at its disposal as the Government of which he and I were Members.