HC Deb 29 January 1951 vol 483 cc564-6
52. Mr. George Thomas

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he is now able to arrange for an increased grant for research into the causes and cure of cancer.

Mr. H. Morrison

No, Sir. Substantial sums are already allocated by the Medical Research Council to research on this important subject and further provision is made by bodies such as the British Empire Cancer Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. I am unable to recommend any further grant at this time, but a constant watch will be maintained for any new and promising lines of inquiry for which present resources may be inadequate.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Could the right hon. Gentleman give the total figure of the money spent on cancer research during 1949?

Mr. Morrison

The expenditure of the Medical Research Council for the current financial year on the cause and cure of cancer is estimated to be approximately £157,400. Further expenditure is expected to be incurred during the coming financial year.

Mr. Thomas

Is the Minister aware that quite inadequate funds are available for this research and that constant appeals are being made for assistance from charitably-minded people? Will the Government not look into this matter again?

Mr. Morrison

I know about the appeals to charitably-minded people, but I do not think there is anything necessarily criminal about that. My hon. Friend and the House must not think that the mere voting and spending of public money, which the hon. Member opposite seems to want, will solve the problem.

Sir Waldron Smithers

Hear, hear.

Mr. Morrison

I am addressing myself to the hon. Member for Farnham (Mr. Nicholson). In so far as promising lines of research open themselves we shall be ready to spend money, but the spending of money in advance of research is silly.

Brigadier Medlicott

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has been estimated that up to 20,000 people who die every year of cancer could have been saved by surgery or radiotherapy if they had sought treatment in time? Will he bear in mind the need for setting aside a sum of money to educate the public into what has already been achieved?

Mr. Morrison

That is a totally different question.

Mr. Somerville Hastings

Has there been any demand from responsible members of the Medical Research Council for more money to be spent on cancer research?

Mr. Morrison

I think not, Sir.

Commander Noble

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that very great work is being done by the people who are on this research, with the money that they already have?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir, I quite agree, and it would be quite wrong for the House to think that merely to spend money will solve this problem.