HC Deb 14 April 1969 vol 781 cc790-1
24. Sir B. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many transplant operations have taken place in hospitals in the United Kingdom for each of the last three years; and what was the percentage of success.

Mr. Crossman

Separate statistics for this kind of operation are not collected at present. Some centres have published their results with kidney transplants, but it is too soon to appraise the effectiveness of transplant operations.

Lord Balniel

I share the widespread admiration of the skills shown by those who engage in transplant operations, but does not the Secretary of State detect a certain sense of unease among the general public about them? Should not the House have the opportunity of debating the moral, ethical and legal implications, and, indeed, the financial priorities within the Health Service of these operations?

Mr. Crossman

As a result of the enterprise of one private Member, we have already had discussions on this question on two occasions. I now have a committee which is looking into the legal position and will advise me. I am hoping to put legislation before the House, if possible.

Sir G. Nabarro

Will the Secretary of State bear in mind that it was exceedingly difficult to make progress on the Private Member's Bill which I was privileged to sponsor on two occasions due to the lack of statistics on cadaver kidney transplants, which account for more than 90 per cent. of the organ transplants carried out in Britain, excluding cornea, during the last five years? Could not the right hon. Gentleman initiate the collection of appropriate statistics in this important field?

Mr. Crossman

On receiving this Question I looked into the matter. Central statistics would not be very meaningful at present because of the very limited number of operations. However, we have a fairly complete oversight of the whole matter. Directly statistics are meaningful we will collect them.