HC Deb 31 July 1941 vol 373 c1530
47. Mr. Leach

asked the Lord President of the Council what sums were allocated in 1938–39, 1939–40 and 1940–41 to medical research; and whether he will consider reducing, if not abolishing, this grant in view of the number of vivisection laboratories which have been closed since the beginning of the war?

The Lord President of the Council (Sir John Anderson)

The grant-in-aid of the Medical Research Council, exclusive of a special capital grant of £70,000 for Building in 1939–40, was £195,000 in each of these years. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

Mr. Leach

What use can these grants be if the laboratories are being closed in the meantime?

Sir J. Anderson

The grants-in-aid are paid by the Council to various institutions and individuals for research work. It is perfectly true that since the outbreak of war there has been some falling off in the amount of general medical research, but I am assured that that has been more than offset by work on special war problems.

Mr. Lipson

Is not more money required for medical research instead of less?

Viscountess Astor

Would it not be better to spend the money on prevention?

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