Lung Cancer (Hansard, 18 July 1955)

§ 24. Mr. Dodds
asked the Minister of Health, in view of the increase in this country of deaths from cancer of the lungs revealed in the survey by the World Health Organisation, what action is being taken to deal with the situation.

§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Iain Macleod)
The facts about the rise in mortality from lung cancer are, of course, well known. Research into the causes continues and expands, and facilities for treatment are being improved. The value of early diagnosis is constantly emphasised and, where it has been shown that workers in certain industries are prone to lung cancer, preventive action is being taken.

§ 25. Dr. Stross
asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the advice given by the Standing Medical Advisory Committee in respect of the action that should be taken by him in advising the public on the relationship between cancer of the lung and heavy smoking.

§ 31. Mr. Langford-Holt
asked the Minister of Health in view of the fact that the Standing Medical Advisory Committee has advised that appropriate action should be taken constantly to inform the public of the known connection between smoking and cancer of the lung and of the risks involved in heavy smoking, whether this advice has yet been considered by the Central Health Services Council; and whether he has yet received a report of its views.

§ Mr. Iain Macleod
I would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave on 27th June to the hon. Member for Barking (Mr. Hastings), to which I have nothing at present to add.

§ Dr. Stross
Would it be reasonable to guess that the Minister has been advised that from time to time he should draw the attention of the public to the fact that there is a known association between heavy smoking and cancer of the lung; and, in view of the answer he gave to the 12 last Question, does not he agree that we ought to look upon this matter as a method of preventing lung cancer rather than waiting until it is well established and cannot be cured easily?

§ Mr. Macleod
There is no need to guess, because the answer to which I referred the hon. Member in fact states precisely that. The point here is that this matter has been considered only by a committee of the Central Health Services Council and not yet by the full Council itself. There is an understanding, which I am sure is right, that I should not take action on the individual reports of committees until the Council has had an opportunity to advise me.

§ Mr. Beresford Craddock
Is not it a fact that all the more recent research shows that there is no proof whatever of any direct connection between lung cancer and smoking?

§ Mr. Macleod
That goes much too far.

§ Dr. Summerskill
The Minister has said that he is not prepared to take any action until he has a further report. Can he tell the House when he expects the report, so that the House may know when to expect the action that he may then take?

§ Mr. Macleod
The next meeting of the Central Health Services Council, of which the chairman is a Member of this House, is due to take place in October. There are very differing opinions on this matter. For example, the Standing Advisory Committee on Cancer and Radiotherapy advised me in almost the exact contrary sense two or three years ago.

Miss Lee
Is the Minister aware that sometimes the relatives of victims of cancer, even more than the victims themselves, are tormented by the fear that research is held up by lack of adequate funds? Can he, therefore, give an assurance that there is nothing essential being left undone in this or any other field of cancer research because public money is not available?

§ Mr. Macleod
That is a most important question. I gave an assurance some time ago, which I am very glad to repeat. I think the exact words were that no new and promising line of research would be held up because of lack of funds.