§ 35. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Health if he will appoint a committee to inquire into the cause and treatment of migraine.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithMigraine is a severe form of headache, and a good deal of research is in progress with a view to throwing light on the cause and treatment of the various forms of headache but I do not think that this would be advanced by the appointment of a committee.
§ Mr. RankinIs the Minister aware that there are many people who reject entirely his opening statement that migraine is a severe form of headache? Within my knowledge, medical men do not accept that view. Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman think about that again? Does he realise that in this country today there are 5 million people who suffer from this illness and that there is no generally accepted treatment because nobody yet knows the cause? Until the cause is known there can be no treatment. That is all that the right hon. and learned Gentleman is being asked to do. Would he not think about his answer again and remit to an appropriate committee the business of trying to find out the cause of this illness?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithMigraine is a very distressing condition, and I have certainly the greatest sympathy for those who suffer from it. Treatment is available through family doctors and consultant neurologists within the National Health Service.
§ Mr. RankinSomebody is deceiving the Minister.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithAs I have told the hon. Gentleman, research is going on, 22 but we must not fall into the error of thinking that the appointment of a committee is an automatic advancement of knowledge in these technical matters.
§ Mr. RankinIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of this reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.