§ Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether in close co-operation with the medical profession he is prepared to promote, and further develop, arrangements for making regular preventive examinations more readily available to the population in general, and particularly to those most at risk, and to introduce new examina- 270W tions to allow an early diagnosis of degenerative diseases.
§ Mr. AlisonRegular health checks are carried out for selected groups at special risk, such as expectant and nursing mothers, babies and women considered to be at risk of developing cancer of the cervix.
My right hon. Friend's Standing Medical Advisory Committee at present recommends that regular preventive examinations for the general public should be undertaken only for conditions which can be clearly and accurately dianosed and for which effective treatment is available but it has set up, jointly with its Scottish counterpart, a sub-committee to review and report on screening generally to ensure that the subject is given continuing and special attention.
§ Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will provide resources for research into the priority aspects of preventive medicine, with particular reference to universities and medical facilities.
§ Mr. AlisonA great deal of the research funds at my right hon. Friend's disposal are used for this purpose and I will send particulars to my hon. Friend.