HC Deb 03 March 1958 vol 583 cc825-6
12. Mr. D. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Health the total number of deaths through cancer from 1945 up to and including 1957.

Mr. Walker-Smith

The number of cancer deaths recorded in England and Wales from 1945 to 30th June, 1957, was 1,064,475.

Mr. Griffiths

Is it not possible to persuade the Treasury to give a little more money for cancer research, or have we to wait until the cancer position is as appalling as the tuberculosis position used to be?

Mr. Walker-Smith

There is a Question later on the Order Paper on this subject. I think the hon. Member will see that there is a gratifying increase in this amount.

41. Mr. Sydney Irving

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what is the current expenditure from public funds on cancer research; and between which bodies the Government grant is divided.

Mr. Walker-Smith

Expenditure by the Medical Research Council from public funds on cancer research during the year 1957–58 is estimated at approximately £390,000. Cancer research is also carried out in the National Health Service in the course of treatment of patients, but it is not possible to make a separate estimate for the expenditure involved.

Mr. Irving

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figures he gave earlier this afternoon will shock the country, which is already very disturbed by the increase in cancer? Is he satisfied that no promising line of research has been neglected through lack of funds? Is he also aware that the country would not begrudge any sum of money in respect of the alleviation of the terrible sufferings of this disease?

Mr. Walker-Smith

The figures in the earlier Question to which the hon. Gentleman refers were figures of mortality, much of which is due to the increase of lung cancer in men, which is not a matter solely for research. So far as concerns this Question, which refers to research, the amount spent on research is a good deal higher this financial year than last, and compares very favourably with the year 1950–51, in which the comparative figure was only £.157,000.