§ 2.50 p.m.
THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGHMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in research in the use of lasers for the diagnosis of cervical cancer, and whether the N.R.D.C. are to make available the necessary funds to compare optical with laser methods.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LORD KENNET)My Lords, early trials of the technique gave disappointing results. Further work has been carried out since then, the results of which are under consideration. It is possible that a fresh series of trials to compare the technique 330 with accepted procedures will be it initiated. The Ministry of Health is in touch with the N.R.D.C. on this matter and the latter will consider whether any financial support is justified.
THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGHMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, which is certainly more encouraging than the one he gave to my supplementary question last November, may I ask him if he can say whether the International Cancer Research Establishment at Lyons is now working on similar lines?
§ LORD KENNETMy Lords, I am sorry I have not that information at the moment, but if the noble Earl agrees I will send it to him shortly.
§ LORD IRONSIDEMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in conjunction with a firm in Newcastle, have examined 319 cases by using the Laser techniques, and cases he not think that the results of the correlation between the Laser technique method and the cytological examination under microscope promises well? Further, does not the noble Lord agree that further work should be done in this field?
§ LORD KENNETMy Lords, as I said, I am aware of those facts. We are comparing here an established technique with a new technique. The first run of tests to compare the two techniques suggested that the new technique had no advantage over the established technique. Another run of tests h is now been carried out elsewhere which suggests that it does. In order to resolve the apparent contradiction between the first two runs, the comparison test is being considered by the Ministry of Heath and the N.R.D.C.
THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGHMy Lords, can the noble Lord say when the result of this test will be known?
§ LORD KENNETMy Lords, it is not known when this test will be completed.
§ LORD IRONSIDEMy Lords, will the noble Lord ask his right hone arable friend the Minister of Health whether he will enter into discussion with the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle at an early date, to see how the programme of correlation between existing techniques and the new Laser techniques can 331 be worked out, bearing in mind that the new Laser techniques need considerable co-operation with the firm in Newcastle which has been concerned with working with the Royal Victoria Infirmary?
§ LORD KENNETMy Lords, if there are to be further runs of experiments involving Government finance there will be many parties to be consulted.