HC Deb 10 June 1975 vol 893 cc215-6
1. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what results she has so far received from her recent circular, designed to increase the number of kidneys available to transplant units.

The Secretary of State for Social Services (Mrs. Barbara Castle)

No such circular has yet been issued by my Department. A guidance circular on the Human Tissue Act 1961 is due to be issued to National Health Service authorities on 12th June and this will be followed by a letter from the Chief Medical Officer to all hospital doctors which will stress the need for more kidneys for transplantation. I will send my hon. Friend a copy.

Mr. Dalyell

Following the delegation to the Department on 11th February, which included the Inner West London coroner, Dr. Thurston, and Professor Roy Calne, will my right hon. Friend confirm that in these circumstances there is no reason why surgeons or doctors should be reluctant to remove kidneys? Will the Government be sympathetic next Session to the introduction of a Bill contracting out along the lines of the Ten-Minute Bill which I introduced?

Mrs. Castle

We have been considering the points raised by the delegation to the Minister of State to which my hon. Friend has referred and we shall be replying in detail very shortly. I stress that the effect of the circular which we are about to issue and of the Chief Medical Officer's letter should help us to get the increased donation and use of donated kidneys that we all want.

Dr. M. S. Miller

Will my right hon. Friend tell the House whether she has had any representations designed to increase the number of baboons available?

Mrs. Castle

No.

Mr. Leadbitter

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there is increasing anxiety about kidney cases? To my knowledge, in the Northern Region there Is increasing anxiety about the lack of kidney machines both in hospitals and in the homes of patients. Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that her Department will evaluate the position and inform the House of what steps the Government might be able to take to remedy that side of the problem?

Mrs. Castle

We keep the situation under review, and I share my hon. Friend's concern. We aim to double the present number of kidney transplants and to make a real attack on this problem. I shall give consideration to what my hon. Friend has asked.