§ 81. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Minister of Health if he has considered the opinions put forward recently that smoking may be a cause of cancer of the lung; and if he will set up a committee of inquiry to investigate the matter.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave yesterday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Ilford, South (Squadron Leader Cooper).
§ Mr. Coldrickasked the Minister of Health the death rate in the United Kingdom from cancer; and what money is being spent annually on cancer research.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe most recent figures available of the death rate from cancer in England and Wales are 1950–1,945 per million, 1951–1,965 per million, first half of 1952–1,938 per million. Expenditure on cancer research is undertaken by a number of bodies and no total figure is available. As regards Scotland, I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.