§ 7. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the recent report from the United Nations World Health Organisation showing an increase in the number of deaths from lung cancer during the last eight years, he will take steps to intensify the campaign showing the relationship between this disease and smoking.
§ Mr. J. N. BrowneLocal health authorities and education authorities were asked in June last year to consider taking steps to bring effectively to public notice the opinion in the Medical Research Council Report on Smoking and Lung Cancer. My right hon. Friend is taking steps to assess the results before considering whether further measures can usefully be taken.
§ Mr. HamiltonMeanwhile, can the hon. Gentleman say how the Scottish figures of deaths due to lung cancer compare with those produced by the World Health Organisation? Are they higher or lower? Further, can he indicate how many Scottish education authorities are utilising the films which, I understand, are available on this subject?
§ Mr. BrowneOn the hon. Gentleman's first point, I would ask him to put down a separate Question. On his second point, I understand that education authorities were asked to inform the Department of the measures taken, that 1007 several have made inquiries about films, and that a B.B.C. film is being made available.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs the Joint Under-Secretary aware of the campaign now starting in Edinburgh, following the examination of the population of that city for tuberculosis? He may be aware that those examinations have revealed a number of cases of lung cancer, and that Edinburgh is starting a dramatic campaign on this very subject. Could he not give a little more prompt encouragement to the other authorities to follow suit, because this disease is increasing at a really alarming rate?
§ Mr. BrowneI appreciate the right hon. Gentleman's concern, but my right hon. Friend feels that we need more information and the views of the local authorities before he decides what more should be done.