asked the Lord President of the Council and Minister for Science what recent research studies into the psychological or other motivation of smoking are available to him; and why he considers it inappropriate for the. Medical Research Council to initiate such a study.

Although it is a difficult field, much work has already been done. This is summarised in the recent reports on smoking and health published by the Royal College of Physicians of London and the United States Public Health Service. I will arrange for the hon. Member to receive copies of these reports. I have never suggested, nor do I consider, the subject inappropriate for the Medical Research Council or medical research.

Is it not clear from the signal failure of the Government's anti-smoking campaign that more work needs to be done? If the Medical Research Council is unenthusiastic—as it is apt to be about all projects in the psychological field—does not the Minister agree that there are other bodies whom he could approach to get this very valuable work done?

I do not agree with the criticism of the Medical Research Council. I only say that projects of scientific research must be judged on their scientific merit.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend ask the Medical Research Council to investigate this question: why is it that the doctors, who themselves know most about the relationship of smoking with lung cancer, are the heaviest smokers in the country?

I think that the facts shown by the Report of the Royal College of Physicians show somewhat the opposite to be the case. It shows that there was a significant dropping off in smoking by registered medical practitioners.

Would not the Minister agree that since vast sums of money are expended on studying the motivation of young people in order, by advertising, to induce them to smoke, it might be a good thing to spend some money similarly on a study of youth motivation in order to prevent them from smoking?

It is certainly true that the evidence shows that the earlier one starts smoking the more difficult it is to give it up, but, of course, that does not invalidate what I said, which is that while any project for medical or scientific research will be carefully considered, it must be judged on its scientific merits.