Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions

Friday, 12th February, 1954

Myxomatosis

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make a statement on the spread of myxomatosis, the rabbit virus disease.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave yesterday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Lewes (Major Beamish).

Ministry Of Health

Smoking And Lung Cancer (Committee's Report)

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now received the advice of the Standing Advisory Committee on Cancer and Radiotherapy on the question of the relationship between smoking and lung cancer; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. The Standing Advisory Committee on Cancer and Radiotherapy have had this matter under consideration for three years. As a result of preliminary investigations, a panel under the chairmanship of the Government Actuary was set up in 1953 to inquire and report. I have now been advised by the Committee in the following terms:Having considered the report of the panel under the chairmanship of the Government Actuary on the statistical evidence of an association between smoking and cancer of the lung, and having reviewed the other evidence available to them, the Committee are of opinion:—

(1) It must be regarded as established that there is a relationship between smoking and cancer of the lung.

(2) Though there is a strong presumption that the relationship is causal, there is evidence that the relationship is not a simple one, since:—

(a) the evidence in support of the presence in tobacco smoke of a carcinogenic agent causing cancer of the lung is not yet certain;
(b) the statistical evidence indicates that it is unlikely that the increase in the incidence of cancer of the lung is due entirely to increases in smoking;
(c) the difference in incidence between urban and rural areas and between different towns, suggests that other factors may be operating, e.g., atmospheric pollution, occupational risks.

(3) Although no immediate dramatic fall in death-rates could be expected if smoking ceased, since the development of lung cancer may be the result of factors operating over many years, and although no reliable quantitative estimates can be made of the effect of smoking on the incidence of cancer of the lung, it is desirable that young people should be warned of the risks apparently attendant on excessive smoking. It would appear that the risk increases with the amount smoked, particularly of cigarettes.

I accept the Committee's view that the statistical evidence points to smoking as a factor in lung cancer, but I would draw attention to the fact that there is so far no firm evidence of the way in which smoking may cause lung cancer or of the extent to which it does so. Research into the causes of lung cancer has been pressed forward by the Government and by other agencies in view of the increase in the incidence of this disease and we must look to the results of its vigorous pursuit to determine future action.

I should also tell the House that before these recommendations were considered by Her Majesty's Government the tobacco companies had offered to give £250,000 for research. They have, on my advice, agreed to offer this money to the Medical Research Council.

Maternity Beds

asked the Minister of Health how many beds, used for maternity cases before November, 1951, are now used for other purposes.

I regret that this information is not available; but the total number of beds in hospitals in England and Wales allocated to obstetrics was 18,893 at the end of 1950 and 19,635 at the end of 1952, which is the latest date for which I have figures.

Surgical Tuberculosis (Incidence)

asked the Minister of Health how the incidence of surgical tuberculosis of bovine origin in those areas where the provision of the Milk (Special Designations) Act now operates, compare with the incidence in that part of the country which is not yet scheduled.

I regret that the information is not available.

Regional Hospital Boards (Capital Expenditure)

asked the Minister of Health the total capital expenditure of regional boards and boards of governors in England and Wales for each year since the inception of the National Health Service, showing mental and non-mental hospitals, separately.

TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE 5TH JULY, 1948, TO 31ST MARCH, 1953 (ENGLAND AND WALES)
—		1948–49	1949–50	1950–51	1951–52	1952–53	Total
Regional Hospital Boards	…	3,889,645	6,266,594	6,357,657	7,412,961	6,845,160	30,772,017
Boards of Governors		1,426,498	2,075,568	2,074,126	1,743,740	1,871,236	9,191,168
Total	…	5,316,143	8,342,162	8,431,783	9,156,701	8,716,396	39,963,185
These figures do not include equipment supplied centrally.
Annual figures showing actual capital expenditure on mental and mental deficiency hospitals are not readily available, but the total of such expenditure from 5th July, 1948, to 31st March, 1953, (including equipment supplied centrally) was:

Regional hospital boards	…	…	…	…	£6,416,367
Boards of Governors (one only)	…	…	…	…	£158,501
Total	…	…	…	…	£6,574,868

Hospitals (Staffed Beds)

asked the Minister of Health the total number of staffed beds in the hospitals of England and Wales, showing mental and non-mental, separately, at 31st December, 1948, and

—		At 31st December, 1948
		Nurses		Midwives		Staffed Beds
		Full-time	Part-time	Full-time	Part-time	Staffed Beds
Mental hospitals	…	18,516	4,980	—	—	138,246
Mental deficiency hospitals	…	5,575	1,497	—	—	47,642
Other hospitals	…	85,943	12,925	7,620	807	257,384
Totals	…	110,034	19,402	7,620	807	443,272

—		At 31st December. 1952
		Nurses		Midwives		Staffed Beds
		Full-time	Part-time	Full-time	Part-time	Staffed Beds
Mental hospitals	…	19,394	6,317	—	—	147,063
Mental deficiency hospitals	…	6,156	2,105	—	—	51,865
Other hospitals	…	106,308	17,110	9,106	1,110	273,819
Totals	…	131,858	25,532	9,106	1,110	472,747

The figures are as follows:at the latest convenient date; and the total numbers of nursing staff employed in each category at the same dates.

The following is the information required in relation to hospitals in the National Health Service in England and Wales:

Housing

Hut Occupants, Westfield (Rehousing)

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will approve an immediate and additional allocation of 28 houses to the Chard Borough Council in order that the occupants of the huts at Westfield, Chard, may be rehoused as soon as possible.

The council have not as yet asked for more houses. If they do, my principal regional officer at Bristol will discuss the request with them.

Private Enterprise Dwellings (Letting)

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many of the 59,747 houses and flats erected by private builders in 1953 were built for letting.

Precise figures are not available, but probably about 6 per cent. were for letting.

Water Reservoir Capacity

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent the increase in water reservoir capacity during the last thirty years, or the nearest period for which statistics are available, has kept pace with the increase in population during the same period; and if he will make a statement on this subject.

The information is not readily available, but I will write to the hon. and gallant Member.

Glenrothes New Town

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the estimated ultimate population of the new town of Glenrothes; and what recent consultations he has had with the President of the Board of Trade on the question of the provision of new light industry within the town to absorb the female labour which is then likely to be available.

It is expected that the ultimate population of the new town of Glenrothes will be about 18,000. Iam in regular consultation with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on the industrial future of the new town.

Roads (Improvement Schemes, Slough)

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if, in view of the fact that road accidents in Slough last year rose by 17 per cent., compared with the national increase of 9 per cent., he will sanction the 13 road improvement schemes which the borough council has submitted.

I am unable to identify these schemes. If the hon. Member will supply a list of them I will let him know the position.

Blackness Castle, West Lothian (Expenditure)

asked the Minister of Works how much has been spent in renovations, structural alterations and furnishings in Blackness Castle, West Lothian, in order to provide a tearoom on the premises.

:The cost of renovations and alterations carried out to the tea rooms at the Castle is £570, about half of which was for redecoration and normal maintenance.In addition, furnishings and equipment to the value of about £450 have been supplied on hire to the caterer.

Volume 523: debated on Friday 12 February 1954