HC Deb 09 November 1971 vol 825 cc820-1
23. Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set up an official inquiry into the allegations recently made concerning the use of National Health Service hospital patients as human guinea pigs.

Mr. Alison

I would refer the hon. Member to the full reply I gave to the hon. Member for Ealing North (Mr. Molloy) in the Adjournment debate on 3rd November.—[Vol. 825, c. 324-30.]

Mr. Meacher

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply, which I closely followed. Will he not agree that precise substantiation of the allegations made cannot, in the nature of the case, be expected when those on whom these experiments are allegedly practised lack the technical medical knowledge to know what is happening to them? Will the hon. Gentleman not agree, therefore, that the comments and statements made by certain eminent medical specialists and the public outcry this has caused are sufficient grounds in themselves for a general inquiry on this contentious issue?

Mr. Alison

It is precisely because the professional difficulty to which the hon. Gentleman refers exists that very comprehensive and far-reaching guidance on these matters has emanated from the Medical Research Council and the Royal College of Physicians. We are confident that the responsible authorities not only have adequate guidance but observe it.

Mr. Molloy

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that since my Adjournment debate last week, medical men have submitted to me what they consider to be proper evidence such as the hon. Gentleman said during that debate he would be prepared to look at if it were forwarded to him? Is he prepared to examine this evidence to see whether there is a prima facie case for thorough investigation?

Mr. Alison

I am sure I need give the hon. Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Molloy) no encouragement to forward to me anything which he may think contains evidence we ought to have.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

Will the Under-Secretary recognise, however, that some hospitals do not at present have medical ethical committees and that there is very considerable concern about the matter? Will he now at least give an assurance that no patient in a National Health Service hospital will be used for research purposes without that patient's permission or that of relatives?

Mr. Alison

That follows automatically from the nature of the guidance given since 1962. We are making our own inquiries of all hospitals to find out how many medical ethical committees have been established, and I will certainly see that the hon. Lady is informed when we have the information.