§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of the findings of the United States of America Surgeon-Generals' report that in that nation cancer of the lung is overtaking the incidence of cancer of the breast in women, he will now hold a departmental inquiry into smoking and morbidity in females.
§ Sir George YoungNo. In considering what measures can be taken to reduce the toll of death and illness caused by smoking, the Department takes account of all mortality and morbidity data relating to diseases associated with the habit. With regard to cancer of the breast and cancer of the lung in women, statistics show that much the same position obtains here as in the USA. The health education programme sponsored by the Department is directed at the whole population, but includes specific warnings about the risks incurred by women smokers, for example in pregnancy.