HC Deb 16 December 1971 vol 828 cc827-8
8. Dr. Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many times during the past five years the Medical Research Council has refused to undertake a specific research project requested by the Department of Health and Social Security or the former Ministry of Health.

Mrs. Thatcher

None, Sir.

Dr. Marshall

In that case, is there any need for changes of the kind recommended in the Rothschild Report?

Mrs. Thatcher

Possible changes have been put before the research councils for the purpose of consultation. Again, extensive consultations have started and I think it would be unwise of me to say anything until they have been completed and the Government have decided what proposals to bring forward.

Mr. Alan Williams

Have any of the research councils refused to take on such projects?

Mrs. Thatcher

I cannot speak off-hand about some of the others, but I believe that the Agricultural Research Council has never refused to take on a project suggested to it. I have not specifically looked at the other two.