§ Q7. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the proposal endorsed by President de Gaulle that an international cancer institute should be established jointly by Britain, the United States, France and the Soviet Union and financed by contributions from each nation amounting to one-half of one per cent, of its defence budget; and if he will endorse the proposal himself.
§ Q15. Sir C. Taylorasked the Prime Minister what decision has been reached by Her Majesty's Government regarding the policy proposal put forward by President de Gaulle that a small proportion of the armaments expenditure of 978 the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries should be contributed to cancer research.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Health has received a letter from his French colleague outlining this proposal. I understand the letter was also sent to Ministers in the United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Federal Republic of Germany and Italy. We will certainly consider this proposal most carefully, and in this we shall be helped by discussions between officials to be held in Paris later this month.
§ Mr. RobinsonIs not this a most imaginative proposal for international co-operation? Will the Prime Minister say, at least, that, if the other countries to which the invitation has been addressed consent to the setting up of the fund and financing it with ½ Per cent, of the defence budget, Great Britain will not stand out?
§ The Prime MinisterI should like to see what the plan is and exactly how it might be financed. Certainly, we are sympathetic to the idea.
§ Sir C. TaylorCan my right hon. Friend say when he expects that a decision will be made?
§ The Prime MinisterNot until after the-[HON. MEMBERS: "The election."]—not until after the officials have met in Paris, which, I think, will be before the General Election.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWill my right hon. Friend consider whether this imaginative proposal could be discussed not only with the continental European countries concerned but with the other members of the Commonwealth in order to see whether they might be willing also to consider it?
§ The Prime MinisterOnly certain countries have so far been invited to meet in Paris, but I will consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.
Mr. H. WilsonIs the Prime Minister aware that, in spite of the interjection he has just had, this is a matter that goes quite beyond all party considerations and, indeed, should go beyond all national considerations? It is a highly 979 imaginative proposal, and any action the Government can take in active and warm support of it will be welcomed and actively supported by all parties in the House.
§ The Prime MinisterI am obliged to the right hon. Gentleman.