§ Mrs. Sally Oppenheimasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what restrictions he places on experiments which could cause discomfort or suffering to take place on terminal patients in teaching hospitals throughout Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephThe participation of patients in clinical experiments is an ethical matter on which the relevant professional bodies have issued advice and 97W guidance. The advice, which has been commended to hospital authorities, makes it clear that a patient's consent to participation must be freely given and must be based upon a proper understanding of the nature and consequences of what is proposed. I have no reason to suppose that this guidance is not being fully observed. The House will be aware that such allegations as have been made to the contrary have been strongly denied by the hospitals concerned. My responsibility in this matter relates to England only.
§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many, and what, experiments have been carried out upon terminal patients in hospitals in the United Kingdom, during each of the years from 1965 to 1971 inclusive, without the knowledge and consent of the patients concerned and of their relatives;
(2) whether he will give an assurance that no experiments will be carried out upon terminal patients in future without their consent and knowledge and that of their relatives.
§ Sir K. JosephI would refer the lion. and learned Gentleman to my reply today to my hon. Friend, the Member for Gloucester (Mrs. Sally Oppenheim).