§ Q10. Mr. Dormandasked the Prime Minister whether, following his pledge to the President of the United States of America in March of this year, he is satisfied with the progress being made in the international attempt to find a cure for cancer; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterThe United Kingdom Cancer Co-ordinating Committee is keeping in close touch with international developments and, in particular, the plans which are still being worked out in the United States for an increased effort in the field of cancer research. The Committee will shortly publish a statement on its first year's work.
The United Kingdom will be making a special contribution towards the cost of equipping a new building for the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
§ Mr. DormandIs the Prime Minister aware that last month President Nixon ordered the only germ warfare centre in the United States to switch its attack to cancer research? Will the right hon. Gentleman bring the same determination to bear on the project in this country so that his pledge will not be thought to be an empty promise?
§ The Prime MinisterAs the hon. Gentleman probably knows, I have been in close touch with President Nixon about 215 his determined effort, which we are hoping to match, to deal with this disease. The United Kingdom Cancer Co-ordinating Committee will shortly be producing its first report about the efforts that we are making. As for the specific proposal with which the hon. Gentleman is concerned, I am not able to give an undertaking about that, but we are showing our preparedness to give greater help by making this special contribution towards the International Agency for Research on Cancer.