HL Deb 22 February 1977 vol 380 cc9-11

2.50 p.m.

Lord FERRIER

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether or not it is intended that a doctor of chiropractic will join Professor Cochrane's Working Group to study back pain.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, the Working Group on back pain has already held two meetings, and it is not proposed to add to its membership. The chairman has advised that full consideration is being given to the use of various types of manipulative therapy in the treatment of back pain. The British Chiropractors' Association has been invited to submit its views and particularly evidence of the results of research into the contribution of chiropractors to the relief of back pain.

Lord FERRIER

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. Does he recall that when Dr. David Owen—and I take this opportunity of congratulating him on his elevation to Cabinet rank—decided to create this Working Party he used the word "multidisciplinary "? Therefore, would the noble Lord not agree that if it is to be multidisciplinary, a representative of this discipline should without more ado be appointed as a member of the Group?

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, I take the noble Lord's point. However, one must bear in mind that in this particular field, as he rightly says, a number of disciplines operate. It is quite impossible for practitioners of manipulative therapy to be represented in any great number on the committee. The noble Lord will know that among the members of the committee are a physiotherapist and an osteopath, who is also a medical practitioner. They were selected as being representative of the largest groups of such practitioners. There is this difficulty of limiting the size of the committee and embracing all aspects.

Lord HANKEY

My Lords, is it possible for other groups that are interested in this area of treatment—such as groups interested in the Alexander technique—to make representations to this Working Group?

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, it is for the Working Party to decide its own procedures, but in my reply I said that the chairman of the committee had made it clear that the Chiropractors' Association is invited to submit views. I imagine that that offer would be open to any other organisation that has a contribution to make in this field.

Lord SANDYS

My Lords, in view of the fact that Professor Cochrane is able to arrange his own procedures, would it not be possible to co-opt a member on to the committee without adding to the membership of the committee as such?

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, whichever way it is done, one would add to the number. There is a chairman and 15 members who are drawn from a very wide field of competence, expertise and knowledge. If one co-opts one person, I am perfectly certain that three or four other organisations with a similar competence could also be asked to co-opt. I think that would be highly dangerous.

Lord FERRIER

My Lords, although appreciating the difficulties to which the noble Lord has referred, does he realise that this particular discipline has more to do with the treatment and investigation of the back than any other discipline—in fact, that is its sole concern—and that this discipline is recognised in practically half the civilised world as part of their National Health medical advance.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, it is because there is some recognition along the line that the noble Lord has suggested that the chairman has invited the association to submit views and particularly evidence of the research which it has carried out. I hope it will do so.

Lord SEGAL

My Lords, as this problem is so grave and extensive, can my noble friend give any indication as to when the committee is likely to report?

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, I am afraid that I am unable to do so. It has had only two meetings. I cannot give the House any guidance on that matter at all.