§ 67. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what investigations are being made by Her Majesty's Government, and with what results, into causes of and cures for hitherto incurable diseases, with particular regard to cancer; what progress has been made by those investigations; how much has been spent by Her Majesty's Government on those investigations during each of the last 10 years: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethAs I informed the hon. and learned Member on 9th July, an account of the work of the Medical Research Council is published annually, but this work cannot be divided into studies on curable and incurable diseases. The Council is continually expanding its research programme, which includes investigations on cancer,32W and every opportunity is taken to promote promising lines of study. The total expenditure by the Council over the last 10 years is as follows:
£ million 1951–52 … … … … 1.7 1952–53 … … … … 1.9 1953–54 … … … … 1.9 1954–55 … … … … 2.1 1955–56 … … … … 2.4 1956–57 … … … … 2.5 1957–58 … … … … 3.0 1958–59 … … … … 3.4 1959–60 … … … … 3.8 1960–61 … … … … 4.3 1961–62 … … … … 5.6 For the Council's expenditure on cancer research, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my Answer to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Collick) on 28th May.