§ Mr. Owenasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that some 1,500 people in the Newcastle area of Northumberland need deep-radiation treatment, that, at present, only some 600 can get it, and that a public appeal has been made for £40,000 to get a new machine which will ensure that the remaining 900 sufferers get this treatment and whether he will consider making a financial contribution towards purcnasing the machine.
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§ Miss PittMy right hon. and learned Friend is aware of the estimates referred to, which relate to the Newcastle Hospital Region as a whole. The regional hospital board has gratefully accepted an offer by the British Empire Cancer Campaign to contribute up to £40,000 towards the cost of a linear accelerator and its installation at the Newcastle General Hospital. This is enabling the board to acquire a second linear accelerator earlier than would otherwise have been possible. Exchequer funds at the disposal of the board are meeting part of the cost of the necessary buildings and, in addition, are providing a cobalt deep therapy unit capable of treating 250 new patients annually, which will be in operation shortly.