§ 38. Mr. Montgomeryasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of recent statements made by him in regard to vaginal cytology, he will now give an assurance that regional boards which are able to provide special courses in cytology will receive additional Exchequer funds to help in this work.
§ Mr. BarberI have invited one regional board and four boards of governors to provide special training centres and have promised them additional funds for the purpose.
§ Mr. MontgomeryI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but may I have an assurance that the additional funds which he is to provide will not be used simply for the training and salaries of technicians but that there will be something extra in order to carry on this very necessary work?
§ Mr. BarberThe additional funds are, I fear, solely in respect of training. If I may give my hon. Friend one little bit of good news, he will be pleased to know that the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board is one of the boards invited to co-operate.
§ Miss BaconWill the Minister assure the House and the women in this country that he will do everything possible in this matter, since this is one of the cancers which can be cured if early treatment is given?
§ Mr. BarberYes; I think that the hon. Lady will find, when she looks at what I have said now and also in answer to an earlier Question, that I have given advice to regional hospital boards in line with what she asks.