HC Deb 14 March 1961 vol 636 cc1167-8
8. Mr. Neave

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what progress has been made by the Common Cold Research Unit of the Medical Research Council.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

The Common Cold Research Unit of the Medical Research Council has made an important advance in the study of the common cold with the successful isolation and growth of certain cold viruses. This has opened the way for rational investigations into methods of prevention and treatment.

Mr. Neave

Is my hon. Friend in a position to say in what way members of the public can help the work of the Unit? How many members of the public have so far volunteered?

Mr. Freeth

Yes. The Common Cold Research Unit urgently requires volunteers in order to test the success of the new methods being developed. Very comfortable and centrally heated accommodation, their keep and a little pocket money are given to volunteers, of whom 6,784 had visited the Unit up to the end of 1960. Of these, 3,051 were men, 3,733 were women, and there were 799 married couples among them.