HC Deb 18 March 1970 vol 798 cc127-8W
48. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that frequently patients who have cancer may be certified as dying from ancillary causes; and whether he will take steps to arrange for statistics which show the deaths of people who have cancer, even if that is not the immediate cause of death, and thus disclose the real size of the cancer problem.

Mr. Millan

I am not aware of a widespread problem in the certification of deaths properly attributable to cancer; but fuller statistics on cancer mortality are desirable and arrangements for producing them are under consideration.