§ 49. Mrs. Joyce Butlerasked the Minister of Health if he will call for the case notes or ask for the names and addresses of the five patients concerned in the hospital experiment quoted on page 163 of "Human Guinea Pigs", a copy of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Wood Green; and if he will hold an inquiry into these matters.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonNo, Sir. I understand that the nature of the procedure was explained fully to all the patients concerned, who gave their consent.
§ Mrs. ButlerBut as these experiments took place after the 1964 Medical Research Council circular of guidance, and since published case notes give no indication as to whether the patients' consent was obtained, would my right hon. Friend not make this a test case, and publish fully whether patients gave their consent validly, and also whether they have any legitimate grievances about the operations?
§ Mr. RobinsonThe first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary is, I am afraid, inaccurate. The investigation was completed during 1963, and the guidance to which she referred was issued in September, 1964. I have no doubt whatever that my original answer is perfectly correct. I believe that more patients than the five who actually participated were asked if they were prepared to do so and those who refused were not investigated.