asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for improving facilities for the treatment and after care of drug users.

I am not aware of inadequacies in treatment facilities. As regards rehabilitation, we plan to continue implementing the advice in the report of the Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence.

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is the number of drug users treated by the drug dependence clinics rising or falling? Is any study being made of compulsory treatment for addicts?

The latter point is being considered. Our information is that the numbers treated are rising steadily but so far have not filled out all the places available.

Mrs. Short. The hon. Lady's Question was answered with this one.

The Minister did not say so.

Very well. We will come back to it.

Will the Minister confirm that the numbers going to treatment clinics are rising slowly and that the rise is a very small one? Will he consider looking into such facilities as those offered by the Phoenix House experiment—that is, a very stern hostel régime—as well as the possibility of compulsory treatment?

The figures are rising slowly, but they are rising. I will consider the suggestion contained in the second part of the hon. Lady's supplementary question.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has for increasing hostel accommodation for patients after hospital treatment for drug addiction.

We plan to continue implementing the advice in the report of the Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is absolutely no point in treating drug addicts in hospital and then sending them straight back to the environment where they learned to become drug addicts, and that they need some sort of bridging facilities? Will he look carefully at the amount of money which his Department is giving both to hospitals and to voluntary organisations and see whether he can be rather more generous so that more hostel places are provided?

I take the point about the necessity of establishing a continuum in this field. We are up to the standards which the Advisory Committee advised in regard to after-care treatment. The hon. Lady will appreciate that this is an extremely time-consuming operation and it really needs one-person-to-one-person attention to secure the full rehabilitation of a patient who has been cleared of addiction.

Could the hon. Gentleman make clear to local authorities the Government's continuing interest in encouraging any schemes, often suitable voluntary schemes, for hostel provision of this sort?

This point is covered in our negotiations and discussions with local authorities.

Does my hon. Friend agree that one of the problems about the opening of these hostels is that local authorities misunderstand their purpose, and could he do his best to bring to their attention what they are used for?

This is still experimental work, but we are co-operating closely with local authorities in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further consideration he has given to the problem of babies and small children who receive serious injuries as the result of assaults by their parents, in view of the frequency of these cases.

Further action will depend on the results of the examination of the reports which local authorities were requested to make by 1st October on the steps they have taken to deal with the problem.

Will the Under-Secretary bear in mind that the N.S.P.C.C. alone receives notification of 35 to 40 new cases a month, a fourfold increase, and that doctors are not co-operating as well as they should? Therefore, will the Minister intensify steps to secure the increased co-operation of the medical profession and also talk to the Home Secretary and avoid ill-advised police action, as this is primarily a medical and sociological problem?

I agree with the specific point made in the last part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. My Department has taken all possible steps to stimulate consultation and the involvement of local medical and other professions and, indeed, the police, where necessary, in the areas on the ground where this problem primarily arises. We shall do everything we can to assist in the diminution of this terrible phenomenon.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many abortions have now taken place in National Health Service hospitals since the passing of the Abortion Act; and how many hours of surgeons' time this represents.

Up to 28th October, 1970, 84,764. Information on surgeons' time is not available.

Does not this mean that the operation of the Abortion Act has the incidental effect of holding up the opportunities of people who need not desperately urgent operations but operations which will help them because otherwise they will be in pain? In view of this, do we not need an investigation into the operation of the Act as soon as possible?

As to the first part of the supplementary question, the effect varies from region to region. As to the second part, I ask my hon. Friend to await the statement which my right hon. Friend hopes to make in due course.

The Secretary of State said on 13th July that he would not be extending the licences for any private nursing clinics after the end of this year and that he would be studying all the facts. Can the Under-Secretary assure the House that we shall have the statement before the House rises for the Christmas Recess?

That is a separate question. I cannot give any assurance upon the precise timing of my right hon. Friend's announcement.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations he has received from the British Medical Association about doctors' remuneration; and what reply he has given.

Recent representations have been mainly concerned with the new Review Body and I am discussing these with the profession's representatives.

As the Secretary of State is widely acknowledged to be the most capable member of the present Cabinet, can he tell us why, having topped up the doctors' pay increase to 20 per cent. earlier in the year, the Government have spent the rest of the year attacking the lower-paid workers who have been much less ambitious than the doctors?

That was a very bad introduction by the hon. Gentleman and not the same as the Question on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further representations he has now received from pensioners' organisation about the present level of supplementary benefits.

I have recently met two deputations. Both discussed with me, among other things, the present level of supplementary pensions.

The right hon. Gentleman is too modest. Is he aware that the Under-Secretary of State, his hon. Friend the Member for Somerset, North (Mr. Dean), obviously anticipating a Tory victory, forecast before the General Election that galloping price inflation would render the November supplementary benefit increases inadequate, and does he take this into consideration at the present stage?

It is sadly true that the inflation which we inherited is hurting, above all, the poorest and those on fixed incomes. It is some relief that there has very recently been an increase in supplementary benefits.

Since it is true, also, that the Government are not only doing nothing to control inflation but are positively encouraging it, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that he ought to go to the Treasury and urge for pensioners on supplementary benefit higher priority than that which is being accorded to the very wealthy, who are having the best treatment under the tax changes announced for next April?

That is quite another question.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of Her Majesty's Government's acceptance of the provisions of the Treaty of Rome relating to free movement of labour he will discuss with the General Medical Council or other appropriate body the amendment of those rules which prescribe the necessary qualifications for the practice of medicine within the United Kingdom.

I assume the hon. Member has in mind the arrangements for registration of doctors. It is as yet premature to formulate amendments to these but we are in touch with the General Medical Council on the subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that in the event of Britain joining the Common Market the standards of medical practice in this country required of foreign doctors who will be allowed to practise here, in both independent and general practice, will be at least the equivalent of those required of United Kingdom doctors?

The purpose of the discussions going on in Common Market countries is to unify registration qualifications. We shall be watching those discussions carefully in order to protect the national interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he will take to ensure that occupational pension rights are fully protected on changes of employment by the beneficiary.

We are preparing detailed proposals for legislation on the preservation of occupational pension rights.

Will my hon. Friend remember that, according to the best estimates, people who change their jobs are losing their pension rights at the rate of at least £1 million every week; and will he ensure that legislation on this matter is brought in very soon, and not, perhaps, in 1972?

I assure my hon. Friend that it will be done as quickly as possible. In the meantime, I hope that the growing good practice of occupational pensions schemes in providing for preservation will continue, backed up, I hope, by my hon. Friend's efforts.

Will the hon. Gentleman assure the House that the Government intend to honour the statements which they made in the previous Parliament regarding the preservation of occupational pensions, and, further, will he ensure that the pension thus preserved will be at least as good as that provided by the residual pension, and that the residual pension also will be at a high level?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that we are as enthusiastic about this in government as we were in opposition.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now take steps to end the earnings rule for pensioners.

No, Sir. The earnings rule for retirement pensioners is, however, one of the aspects of social security included in the Government's consideration of the reconstruction of the national insurance scheme.

Does my hon. Friend agree that it is important that the basis of the Welfare State should be not need but entitlement based on either contributions or status; and that therefore to operate an earnings rule is entirely against the spirit of the Welfare State as understood on this side of the House?

My hon. Friend has gone a little wide of the Question, but I assure the House that we are committed to improving the earnings rule, and we shall certainly do that.

But is the hon. Gentleman aware that if under the existing regulation a retirement pensioner over the age of 70 is still employed, his employer has to pay £3 6s. 11d. a week for a stamp, and this is a penal imposition on any employer who wishes to carry on employing older people?

But I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will realise that there is no earnings rule there and, therefore, there is a substantial encouragement on the part of the employee.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he proposes to extend the payment of children's allowance to the first child.

No, Sir. The Family Income Supplements Bill will provide help where it is needed for low-income families, including those with only one child.

Is not the present situation anomalous in that some people have income tax relief in respect of their first child?

The real point is that in regard to the poorest families in the land we have found in the Bill both the quickest and the best way of bringing speedy help.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further action he is taking to reduce the incidence of assaults by violent patients on the nursing staff looking after them.

Adequate staffing, good conditions and an active therapeutic regime in hospitals is the best safeguard. The extra money for psychiatric services will help hospitals to make faster progress towards these objectives. My Department is co-operating with the National Association of Mental Health and professional bodies in preparing advice for nurses who look after difficult and disturbed patients.

Could the right hon. Gentleman ensure that more effective measures are taken to segregate and control violent patients, and will he impress upon psychiatrists that although their first duty is to their patients, they have an important second duty; namely, to protect nursing and other staff from these hazards?

Regional hospital boards are being helped by the extra money to reduce the overcrowding which makes the handling of patients of this sort particularly difficult. I agree with the point made by the hon. Gentleman in the second part of his supplementary question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Social Services what representations he has received from medical organisations on the effect of the new dental charges on the dental health of the population.

The only medical organisation from which I have received correspondence is the Socialist Medical Association. I met representatives of the British Dental Asociation on 23rd November.

That must represent the whole of the medical profession, but the others have not written in. If the right hon. Gentleman cannot get off the Treasury hook as regards the general principle, will he at least have another thought about lowering the age of exemption from 21 to 18?

That proposal will have to be the subject of legislation, and there will be ample opportunity to discuss it then.

What would not be the subject of legislation would be to persuade the Chancellor of the Exchequer to do something about purchase tax. Is my right hon. Friend aware that, for example, a toothbrush is free of purchase tax whereas dentifrice and toothpaste is subject to tax at 36⅔ per cent.? Will he persuade the Chancellor to rid toothpaste and dentifrice of purchase tax, thereby making a much more direct contribution to dental health?

That point is strongly made to me by the British Dental Association.

I wish that my right hon. Friend would back it up.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind that the British Dental Association regards these increased charges as a serious threat to the dental health of the nation and a definite deterrent to people who might seek treatment? Will he tell the House what will be the maximum charge for treatment under the new provisions?

The maximum charge for treatment will be not more than £10. I know that the British Dental Association did hold the view which the hon. Lady has expressed. I hope that it will hold it less strongly after our discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Social Services what action he is taking to overcome the shortage of medical officers in the hospital casualty service.

I have nothing as yet to add to my reply on 10th November to the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Blenkinsop).—[Vol. 806, c. 81.]

Has the right hon. Gentleman held consultations with the service medical departments? Is he aware that he might find some possibilities there of easing the situation? Will he look at this?

Yes, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the casualty department service in Gateshead is likely to break down unless new medical staff can be rapidly recruited?

I will make special inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will standardise the shape and size of pension books.

From July, 1971, retirement pension and supplementary pension order books will be of a standard size.

May I thank the hon. Gentleman for that assurance? Is he aware that in the past this has involved pensioners in extra expense when they have had to purchase different wallets for their pension books?

I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman. There are only two sizes of order books now, and the reason for the change-over is that the order books to which he was referring are now computer-produced.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to introduce a form of death grant with respect to stillborn children.

No, Sir. We adhere to the view which has always been held that this would not be appropriate.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I am rather disappointed at that reply? Would he think again about this, bearing in mind that there are only 10,000 of these sad cases every year and, therefore, the payment of a death grant at the full infant rate would only amount to about 100,000? Would he not accept that the degree of distress to the woman in these cases is just as great as if the infant had survived for only a few days and then died?

I am sure the House will sympathise with the parents of stillborn children but the fact is that in the priorities which we must set the cost of a funeral in these cases is substantially less than in the case of young children.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations have been made to him by the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association consequent upon the proposals of Her Majesty's Government to increase prescription charges; and what reply he has sent.

I have received a letter from the association. The reply from my Department refers to the Government's general policy and to the improvements in services for psychiatric and elderly patients which the increases in charges will make possible, and indicates the arrangements for helping those in need with particular reference to the mentally ill.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very grave disquiet which has been expressed by the P.R.A. in that, because of the nature of the illness of the chronic mentally sick, these patients tend not to apply for exemptions which are available; that they are completely defeated by form-filling; and invariably they are in low-paid jobs and neglect to obtain the necessary medication, which frequently results in a relapse? Would he investigate afresh the exemptions that are available?

I have investigated them. I cannot undertake to do it again at the moment. I will undertake that in the new take-up campaign that will take place next year I will bear the hon. Gentleman's point strongly in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will undertake a review of the categories of people who qualify for exemption from prescription charges.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to exempt from prescription charges women under 65 years of age whose husbands are over 65 years of age.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider the preparation of a list of life-saving drugs with a view to their exclusion from prescription charges.

We are not at present contemplating any change in the existing exemption arrangements, which in our view are fully adequate for preventing hardship.

Would the hon. Gentleman exempt from prescription charges women over 60, which is the retirement pension age, rather than those over 65? Would he exempt those who are not included in the restricted list of chronic sick but who nevertheless require long-term continuous treatment?

I am afraid that I must say "no" to the hon. Lady. There is no evidence that women between the ages of 60 and 65 are more liable to ill health than men of the same age. Indeed, they are in better health for the most part nowadays than at any other time in the past.

Does the hon. Gentleman recognise that this is not the problem? Is he aware that the problem is that families living on retirement pensions and having to bear the burden of prescription charges at present levels will have to bear the burden of the prescription charges at the new and higher levels? Will he look at this again with a view to announcing changes in these rules as from next April when the charges go up?

We are satisfied that the very wide range of exemptions and possibilities of refund cover all areas where real hardship is likely. We do not believe that a further review is necessary.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider ridding the registered disabled of prescription charges?

The registered disabled can either be already exempt if they fall within the specified medical categories or they can get the extremely useful season ticket, which is now a better bargain.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take action to ensure that the Manchester City Council proceeds without delay in replacing the hazardous building serving mothers and children in the Newton Heath area of Manchester as a maternity and child welfare centre.

I understand that the Manchester City Council hopes to be able to replace this building, which it does not regard as hazardous, in the financial year 1974–75.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that reply is wholly unsatisfactory? Is he aware that expectant mothers in my constituency have been obliged to use this building, which they regard as drab, inadequate and positively hazardous, for far too long and consider that it ought to be replaced quickly and urgently?

The city council disputes the allegation of hazard. It has a large number of claims on its resources. It will be providing four health centres and a clinic in this area in the programme covering the years 1971–72 and 1973–74.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what extra financial benefit will be paid to families who receive payment under the Supplementary Benefits Scheme to enable children to purchase school milk.

None, Sir. The scale rates paid in respect of children under the supplementary benefits scheme are intended to keep them well nourished. Free school milk will still be provided for all children in nursery schools and classes and special schools, and in primary schools up to the end of the school year in which their seventh birthday falls. It will also be provided for children up to 12 who need it on medical grounds.

Does the hon. Gentleman not agree that there are many people, including widows, who have young children and who do not spend their money on booze but who look after these children? Is he aware that taking free milk away from those between seven and 11 will cause real suffering and bring about a loss of nutrition?

As I have said, this is provided for in the scale rates. In addition, expectant mothers and children under five will still get free milk tokens, and there are special additions when special diets are needed, so that the medical needs of these children will be fully taken care of in the arrangements we have introduced.

Can the hon. Gentleman explain why milk is necessary for the healthy growth of a child up to the age of seven but after that it is apparently unnecessary? Would he accept that we on this side consider this particular measure to be harmful and ill considered?

I do not claim to be a nutrition expert but I think the hon. Lady will agree that it is at the younger ages when this milk is particularly required, and we are carrying out what seem to be the realistic priorities in this matter.

Does my hon. Friend recall that after 1951 there was a similar outcry from the Labour Party about the abolition of orange juice?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for reminding the House of that.

Is it not true that the three- or four-year-old who is fortunate enough to go to nursery school or to be in a nursery class will get free milk whereas the three- or four-year-old who stays at home with mother will not? Should not this anomaly be sorted out?

If the children are in nursery schools they will still get free milk. That is the intention. As I have said, children under five and their mothers will still have the provision which we have made available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now increase the current rates of war disability pensions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for increasing war disability pensions.

The Goverment gave a firm undertaking in another place on 23rd July, 1970, to preserve the tradition of giving special treatment to war pensioners and their widows and to review the rates of war pensions and allowances at two-yearly intervals in the light of economic growth and the cost of living. The last increase was in November, 1969.

Is the Minister aware that many disabled pensioners who have given so much in service to the nation have a right to expect that their pensions should have regard to the galloping inflation which is a feature of life under this Government?

We recognise the special debt to those who were disabled in the service of their country but I cannot add to what my right hon. Friend has told the House earlier.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that this is not good enough, that since this Government came to power, because of the fall in the value of money, the 100 per cent. disability pension for people in my constituency has fallen by 3s. 6d.? Since the Government have given notice to the people in high income brackets that they are to benefit from a bonanza because of the reduction of income tax, ought they not to tell these much more deserving people that they will have their increase at a stroke?

The reduction of income tax is not for me and it is certainly irrelevant to this Question. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Those in most need have been helped by the increase in supplementary benefits which came into operation in the early part of November.

Is it not a fact that the fall in the value of money since June has been 5d. whereas during the six years of Labour rule the fall in the value of money was 6s. in the £?

There is no doubt that the reason why we are suffering difficulty, particularly those on fixed incomes, is the total failure of the party opposite to control our economy.

Does the hon. Gentleman not recognise that according to the figures given by his own Department the position of pensioners next November, unless something is done—and this includes war disability pensioners—will be worse than at any time since February, 1965, when my Government brought in the largest ever increases?

My right hon. Friend has said that there will be a review next year which will take into account the economic changes and the rise in prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of gynaecological beds available, region by region, with the population comparison.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons are currently unemployed and unable to receive unemployment benefit as a result of their period of unemployment having exceeded 312 days.

Of the 606,000 people registered as unemployed on 3rd August, 1970, 126,000 had exhausted their entitlement to unemployment benefit. 87,000 of these were, however, getting an allowance under the supplementary benefits scheme.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that to deny 126,000 unemployed persons entitlement to un-

As the answer consists of a table with figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I thank the hon. Gentleman, and I shall be glad to receive the list. Will he accept that a large number of women are on hospital waiting lists for various forms of surgery? Does not he agree that this means not only pain and suffering for these women but also a loss of productive man hours because many husbands lose time at work in caring for their wives and families in these circumstances?

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for the care and concern she has about this subject. There is pressure on the hospitals for gynaecological beds but we hope that the extra resources we are making available to them will enable some inroads to be made on waiting lists.

For many years now it has been the practice in our National Insurance arrangements that unemployment benefit should be primarily for the short term, for the change between jobs. Supplementary benefit arrangements are the most suitable for those who have long-term unemployment, who very often need additional help as well.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is strong antipathy among the public towards the notion, that a person should be able to receive unemployment benefit for 10 or 12 months at a time unless there is a very good reason indeed why they should not be in work?

It is for that reason that we feel that unemployment benefit is appropriate for what it has always been intended—primarily for loss of earnings by people moving from one job to another.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Mrs. Knight) that since gentlemen and ladies pay insurance in order to be covered for unemployment it would be incorrect to take the attitude she is advocating?

There is nothing incorrect in what my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Mrs. Knight) said. She is quite right to be concerned to ensure that the money which is paid by employees and their employers into this scheme is used in the best possible way.

In what part of the country are the 126,000 people?

I cannot give the hon. Gentleman that information without notice. If he will put down a Question, I will try to answer it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to repeal Section 49(1) of the National Insurance Act, 1965 which precludes the payment of unemployment benefit for periods spent abroad in search of eventual employment in this country.

No, Sir.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that in future there will be a greater likelihood of men going abroad in search of employment? Does he not agree that it fits more closely with Conservative principles for men who have the guts and enterprise to go abroad to look for a job to be encouraged rather than discouraged from doing so?

I agree that we want to encourage initiative, but my hon. Friend must realise that availability for employment is the essence of the unemployment benefit, and when a person is abroad it is hard to maintain that he is really available for employment.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I shall be forced to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total cost to public funds of supplementary benefits for the families of miners involved in the recent industrial dispute; and if he will list the cost in each area.

As the reply consists of a table of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that allegations are coming from the coal fields that his Ministry is being fairly bloody-minded about giving benefits that people think should be legitimately given? Will he give a categoric assurance that he will not be responsible for wives and children of miners suffering because of the sort of ideological baying one gets from his hon. Friends when one mentions miners?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that the Department looks very sympathetically at these cases. There is no intention that wives and children should suffer when men are on strike. Equally, we are right to take account of the disquiet on this matter expressed both in the House and in the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reply he has sent to the Scottish retirement pensioners' request for an immediate increase in pensions.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of my reply.

Surely the hon. Gentleman must concede that there is great public concern at the present time—[Interruption.]—about the whole question of pensions provision? This is shown by the fact that a tremendous amount of public demonstration is going on at the present time. [Interruption.]

Order. Mr. Eadie. Question.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some hon. Members opposite apparently do not like to be questioned.

We are all suffering from the effects of the inflation which was the responsibility of the Labour Government, which they failed to cure but which we are determined to cure.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the cost of an increase of £2 per week per couple to all retirement state pensioners, husband and dependent wife.

£160 million without allowing for increases to other retirement pensioners or accompanying changes in other benefits.

Would not the Minister agree that figures of this kind can never tell the whole story? As there are always considerable offsetting advantages in a substantial increase of the basic retirement pension and as we have had inflation under both parties and as it may take some time for the Government to cure inflation, should not old-age pensioners have an increase immediately, before Christmas?

The hon. Gentleman has asked me for one figure. The figure for all pensions and other benefits would be over £600 million, which would mean a substantial increase in the contributions of both employers and employees. None the less, I repeat the pledge of this Administration that the pension rate will be reviewed next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what specific steps he is taking to inform all those persons who are entitled to family income supplement about their rights; and what particular efforts he is making to encourage these people to take advantage of the supplement.

I am planning an intensive publicity campaign beginning in the spring in which I shall seek the co-operation of social workers and others active in this field.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the family income supplement is a pathetic substitute for a real policy on poverty? How is this publicity campaign different from the previous one, on means-tested benefits, which has failed to attract many people to claim the benefits?

We are determined to do better in securing increased take-up than the previous Administration. I suggest that the hon. Gentleman waits until he sees our publicity campaign in the spring.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will offer special assistance to those British consultants who are evaluating new methods of treating cancer.

The Medical Research Council and my Department both support research on methods of treating cancer. Proposals are adjudged on their scientific merits.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Dr. Issels' methods have not been proved scientifically but that a number of leading British cancer specialists have recommended that they be investigated? In order to assess whether a new medical discovery has been made or whether false hopes have been raised, will he conduct an inquiry into these methods?

The question of an inquiry will be considered by the Joint Co-ordinating Committee for Cancer Research, on which the Medical Research Council is represented, as soon as the details of Dr. Issels' treatment have been published and studied.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman accept that in the conquering of this horrible disease one must not disregard any kind of method no matter how outlandish it may seem? In the interest of attempting to find a cure, should it not be made clear to the public that money should be made available for the investigation of any method which might lead to a cure?

Certainly. I am sure that the medical profession would agree that every possible method must be investigated, but there must be a scientific discussion of the method before it can be studied, and that is what the medical profession is waiting for.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the famous Christie Hospital and the Holt Radium Institute in my constituency have not yet received details of this new form of treatment?

Yes, and I gather that details are eagerly awaited in many parts of the world.

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that although millions of pounds are raised by charities each year for research into the treatment of cancer, there is still a lack of money because of the expense of the equipment required?

The Medical Research Council, which is not my responsibility, and my Department both support a considerable amount of cancer research and I should be grateful to know whether there is any difficulty in investigating Dr. Issels's methods, once they are known—I am sure there will not be—for lack of money.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to speed up new hospital building in South Shields.

An out-patient department costing £½ million has already been completed. The regional hospital board plans to start a psychiatric unit next year, and is planning the next phase, consisting mainly of a maternity department and costing over £¾ million.

As the Minister has promised further developments in hospital building, especially in development areas such as South Shields, may we not have rather faster movement towards the completion of these new units, which have been in preparation for some time?

I have referred to the planning aspect. The next phase is expected to be in hand and even completed well before the mid-1970s, and the extra resources which we are making available to hospitals will tend to expedite the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to improve the mental health services in South Shields.

For the mentally ill 32 beds have recently been added to Cherry Knowle Hospital, and work on a new 34-bed unit at South Shields General Hospital is planned to start next April. A small unit for the mentally handicapped at South Shields General has been replaced by better, new accommodation at Earls House, Durham. My Department is to discuss further developments with the regional hospital board and the local authority in the light of the Government's decision that more resources should be allocated to mental health.

I welcome the signs of concern which have already been expressed. Will the Minister do all he can to speed up provision, because there is some anxiety about the position in the area?

Yes, Sir.