§ 1. Mr. Newensasked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of deaths which have been caused by leukaemia in each of the last five years; and to what causes the increase in the incidence of this disease since the end of the Second World War are attributed.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Kenneth Robinson)For the years 1960 to 1964 respectively 2,694, 2,645, 2,707, 2,830 and—provisionally—2,867. The incidence of the disease has been increasing since before the Second World War. The reasons are not fully known but improved diagnosis and the rising number of old people—who are particularly prone to the disease—are contributory factors.
§ Mr. NewensDoes any information exist to disprove the contention that the increased incidence of this disease is connected with the increased incidence of radiation throughout the world as a result of nuclear weapon testing? If that is so, will my right hon. Friend give as much publicity as possible to any information on this in order to make everybody aware of the price in human suffering and death of possessing nuclear weapons?
§ Mr. RobinsonIt is known that heavy doses of radiation can cause leukaemia, but there is no evidence to show that the very slight increase in radiation received in this country from nuclear fall-out has been a contributory factor. Indeed, there is some evidence to show that it is not.
§ Mr. WoodIn view of the figures and of what the right hon. Gentleman said 1090 about the increasing incidence, may I ask whether he can assure us that the amount spent and the range of research in the last few years have similarly expanded?
§ Mr. RobinsonI think that there is no shortage of resources for research of this kind. Research is going on under the auspices not only of the Medical Research Council but also of voluntary organisations like the British Empire Cancer Campaign, the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and the Leukaemia Research Fund.