HC Deb 25 March 1957 vol 567 cc800-1
47. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what funds are available for research into mental illness; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Vosper

Expenditure by the Medical Research Council on research into mental illness during the year 1957–58 is estimated at approximately £55,000. The Council would be prepared to make further funds available for promising new lines of research. In addition, hospitals undertake clinical research at the expense of Exchequer funds or their own non-Exchequer funds and research is also supported from monies given by various organisations.

Mr. Mayhew

Is the Minister aware that the total amount is fantastically small, that the cost of our mental hospitals alone is £30 million a year, executive expenditure is another £20 million a year, and it is estimated that £120 million a year is lost in wages through mental illness? What is the good of £55,000 if research projects are being abandoned for lack of financial support?

Mr. Vosper

I am aware of all that. The figure of £55,000 relates only to expenditure by the Medical Research Council. I have given no figure for the National Health Service. The Medical Research Council would devote further funds if it knew of promising lines of research.

Mr. G. Nicholson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, although very valuable work has been done by individual hospitals, there is little or no machinery whereby discoveries and advances made by individual hospitals are quickly circulated from one to the other? Surely it might be worth while spending a certain amount of money in arranging for some pool or clearing house for the advances that are made?

Mr. Vosper

I think there is something in that point, and I hope that it may be considered in conjunction with the forthcoming Report of the Royal Commission on Mental Health.

Dr. Summerskill

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that the only way of discovering promising lines of research is to have enough highly-qualified people making inquiries into that matter?

Mr. Vosper

I will convey that to my noble Friend to see if, in fact, there is a shortage of technicians.