§ 35. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Health if his hope, expressed in circular HM (61) 108 of 22nd November, 1961, that by 30th June, 1962, registration of all cancer cases in hospitals would be complete, has been fulfilled.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Bernard Braine)My right hon. Friend has called for this information by the end of this month.
§ Mr. BoydenWhy should it take eight months to provide this very important information? If it must take eight months, can the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that by the end of next month these figures will be complete and there will be an adequate number of statisticians employed and the appropriate authorities to make adequate use of them?
§ Mr. BraineI regret that the information has been coming in somewhat slower than we expected, but my right hon. Friend expressed the hope in the hospital memorandum which was circulated that by 30th June registration of cancer cases in hospital should be complete and that regional boards and boards of governors would then be able 948 to send us by 31st July further particulars of arrangements. I do not think there is an undue delay. When the information has been received we can judge what coverage is being obtained.
§ Mr. BoydenIs not this a ridiculous time to take considering that the circular was in most urgent terms?