HC Deb 02 February 1984 vol 53 c337W
Mr. Tom Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what resources are currently being used to promote the study of laser treatment of lung cancer; if he is satisfied with the present methods of their allocation; what plans exist for their future expansion; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Studies of this kind would be regarded as biomedical research and the Department looks to the Medical Research Council, the main Government funded body carrying out such work under a grant-in-aid from the Department of Education and Science, to meet its needs in this field. The Department has been in consultation with the MRC, and the council is agreed that there is a particular need for further basic research in the field and they would consider applications for such studies and proposals for clinical trials of the techniques. The Department is supporting one study on the use of lasers in bronchial carcinoma.