§ 6. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health if he will now make a statement giving the results of his circular to hospitals concerningthe registration of cases of cancer; and how the number of cases for 1954 compares with the preceding years since 1950.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodComplete figures showing the number of cases of suspected cancer registered in 1954 will not be available before the middle of 1955. The hon. Member will no doubt bear in mind that these figures will not fully reflect the action taken in response to the circular which was issued during the period to which they relate.
§ Mr. DoddsDoes not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that his series of answers on this question are very conflicting? Can he not recall that on 18th March he said that he was expecting that a circular which had been sent out would be back by 30th June, when it was anticipated that there would be 58,000 cases? That was 30th June, 1954. Can he not now give further figures that will correspond with what he anticipated?
§ Mr. MacleodThe cases to which the hon. Gentleman refers were suspected cases for 1953. I can give him the figures if he likes to put down a Question. The answer I gave on 6th December was to say that it would be a few months yet before we had the final figures and that I would let him know at once so that he could ask a Question. I will still do so.