§ 8. Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many deaths from cancer occur in Northern Ireland each year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleIn recent years, about 2,700 a year. There has been no significant trend, and the services available to patients suffering from cancer are on a similar basis to those in Great Britain.
§ Mr. McCuskerWhat proportion of these deaths is due to lung cancer, and how does the proportion of Northern Ireland deaths from lung cancer compare with the proportion for Great Britain? What action, if any, has the Minister taken on the proposal that was put to him by the Ulster Cancer Foundation, and when does he hope to set up smoking advisory centres?
§ Mr. MoyleIn 1973, the latest full year for which figures are available, 498 males and 113 females died from cancer of the bronchus and the lungs in Northern Ireland. That is a total of 611. It was the best proportion of deaths to population for any broad region of the United Kingdom. I shall be conveying to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services the resolutions reaching me from the bodies which are interested in this problem in order that there may be consideration of it. In addition, my Department and the Department of Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland will be prepared to carry out co-operation in the investigation of any proposals received from those bodies.