HC Deb 14 June 1955 vol 542 cc401-2
12. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the advances in medical science for the treatment of the disease of poliomyelitis since his statement in Parliament on 2nd November last; how far these advances have been applied to Scottish patients; and if he will now make a further detailed statement showing the present incidence of the disease in Scotland.

Mr. J. Stuart

I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. and learned Member on 23rd November last. He will be aware, however, of the recent statements made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health about the arrangements under consideration in Great Britain for the use of the new poliomyelitis vaccine for the prevention of this disease. There have been 186 provisional notifications of the disease in Scotland in the period of 32 weeks which began on 24th October, 1954, compared with 207 notifications in the corresponding period a year earlier.

Mr. Hughes

Can the Secretary of State indicate the ages of the victims of this disease and the proportion of cures among the old and the young, respectively?

Mr. Stuart

I must ask the hon. and learned Gentleman to give notice of that Question.

13. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made to date with the survey, scientific tests and research begun in Scotland, with financial assistance from the Scottish Hospital Endowments Research Trust, into the causes, treatment and cure of poliomyelitis, spastic disease and cerebral palsy and into the most appropriate methods of rehabilitation.

Mr. J. Stuart

The Trust has just accepted the first application for financial assistance for research into poliomyelitis and other virus diseases. This consists of a grant of £3,000 to meet the cost of equipment which will be required shortly for this purpose in the new virus laboratory at Ruchill Hospital, Glasgow. As regards spastic disease or cerebral palsy, the survey that the Trust is assisting began last autumn and is planned to extend over a period of two years.

Mr. Hughes

In view of the very valuable work being done by this Trust, would the Secretary of State consider issuing a comprehensive statement on its work?

Mr. Stuart

I think that it would be better to wait until this survey is completed.