§ Mrs. McCurleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the incidence of cancer in Scotland.
§ Mr. YoungerA major document—the "Atlas of Cancer in Scotland 1975–1980"—was published today by the World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer and the Cancer Registries of Scotland. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the 639W Library. The Atlas is the first in the world showing national incidence of cancer. Twenty common and 19 less common cancers are mapped by local authority district and the rates compared with those of other countries. Scotland has some high rates, particularly of lung cancer, which are cause for concern. Those forms of cancer most prevalent in Scotland seem to be associated with tobacco, spirits and diets with an excess of fat and a deficiency of fresh vegetables and other fibre. Much remains to be known about the causes of cancer, but I am satisfied that measures which are already the subject of Government action in the health education field—on smoking, drinking and diet—would, if heeded by the public, lead to significant reduction in our cancer rates. Government funding of research into the causes, prevention, management and cure of cancer will continue at its present high level, and I would expect the research needs identified in the Atlas to form the basis of new and productive research in the years ahead.