HC Deb 26 April 1965 vol 711 cc28-9
45. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of all deaths from cancer is accounted for by lung cancer in men and women.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Kenneth Robinson)

In 1964, deaths from cancer of the lung and bronchus in England and Wales accounted for 38 per cent. of the deaths of men, and 8 per cent. of the deaths of women, from all forms of cancer.

Mr. Pavitt

Will my right hon. Friend consider stepping up the propaganda with regard to the prevention of lung cancer in women, in view of the increase in recent years in the number of deaths in that sector?

Mr. Robinson

In so far as this is attributable to heavy cigarette smoking, my hon. Friend will know that that campaign is being stepped up.

46. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Minister of Health what is his estimate of deaths from lung cancer over the period of the Easter holiday; and how this figure compares with a similar figure for last year.

Mr. K. Robinson

Figures for Easter, 1964, could be produced only by disproportionate effort and there is no means of making a reliable estimate for that or the corresponding period this year.

Mr. Pavitt

But is it not a fact that the figures published by the Registrar General last week show that an average cf over 400 deaths would have occurred during that period had the daily average been the same as the daily average for the year? In view of that, will my right Eon. Friend again seek to step up the efforts which he is making, with the idea of preventing young people from contracting the habit of smoking?

Mr. Robinson

Without actually accepting the figure given by my hon. Friend—1 made the four-day average to be slightly less than he did—I do not dissent from his general view of the matter.

Sir C. Osborne

Is it not unusual for a Minister to ask questions of himself through his P.P.S.?

Mr. Robinson

On a point of order. The hon. Member for Willesden, West (Mr. Pavitt) is not my P.P.S.

Mr. Speaker

I doubt whether it is a point of order, but I am sure that the explanation will be accepted.