11. Mrs. Slaterasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what research is being undertaken into bronchial asthma and bronchitis and their resulting effects on the health of children and adults.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethThe Medical Research Council supports a considerable amount of research into the cause, natural history and treatment of bronchial asthma and bronchitis. In addition, research into both of these conditions is being undertaken in the hospitals of the National Health Service.
Mrs. SlaterDoes the Parliamentary Secretary realise that there are about 30,000 deaths annually from all types of bronchitis; and that this death rate is three times as high as that in Belgium and thirty-six times as high as that in the United States of America? Therefore, we need a great general speed-up in research into this dreadful illness, particularly in constituencies like mine, where people are more susceptible to it.
§ Mr. FreethI fully agree with the hon. Lady that this is a question for research, and, in fact, a considerable amount of research is being done, not only at Stoke-on-Trent but elsewhere in the country. This question involves such things as pneumoconiosis research. It also involves the policy of clean air and a number of analogous subjects. We are trying to press ahead with them all.