§ 38. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, when the Medical Research Council last appointed a mental health committee, and when was its last meeting; and if it is his policy to appoint such a committee in the near future.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe Medical Research Council had a Mental Disorders Sub-Committee during the 1930s, which lapsed with the war. In 1955 the Council's Clinical Research Board set up a Mental Disorders Sub-Committee which reported during that year. The Medical Research Council is at present making a full scale review of mental health research and the question of appointing one or more expert advisory committees to assist it in promoting research in this field is one of the matters which it has under consideration.
§ Mr. RobinsonIs not this very revealing Answer one of the explanations for the gross neglect of mental health research by the Medical Research Council—the fact that it is at least fifteen years since a mental health committee sat? Will the Minister use his influence to see that a committee on this important subject is set up in the near future?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI have explained the present position in regard to this full-scale review, and I am sure that my noble and learned Friend has these matters very much in mind.