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Medical Research

Oral Answers to Questions — Science – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 28 Ionawr 1964.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Laurie Pavitt Mr Laurie Pavitt , Willesden West 12:00, 28 Ionawr 1964

asked the Lord President of the Council and Minister for Science to what extent the Medical Research Council limits its subjects for research to those for which he is certain that the questions investigated have adequate answers.

Photo of Mr Quintin Hogg Mr Quintin Hogg , St Marylebone

None, Sir. It is not my policy to interfere in the decisions taken by the Council in matters calling for scientific judgment.

Photo of Mr Laurie Pavitt Mr Laurie Pavitt , Willesden West

Is the Minister aware of the distress his Answer of 21st January caused to many people who are keenly concerned about the growing problem of smoking and the motivation of young people? Does he recall that he then made a categorical statement that unless there was some possibility of adequate answers being found there was no point in pursuing this research? That is a wholly unscientific attitude for a Minister for Science to adopt. Is he influencing the Council on these lines? If so, should he not seek to change his position?

Photo of Mr Quintin Hogg Mr Quintin Hogg , St Marylebone

If the hon. Member will look again at what I said, he will see that I said nothing of the kind.

Photo of Mr Laurie Pavitt Mr Laurie Pavitt , Willesden West

I have it here.

Minister

Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.