HC Deb 06 February 1979 vol 962 cc191-3
8. Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is satisfied with safety provisions applying to research funded by the research councils; and what guidance she is proposing to give on this matter.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

On 22 January I met representatives of the Medical and Agricultural Research Councils and the chairman of the Genetic Manipulation Advisory Group to consider this matter. The councils have stringent procedures for handling dangerous pathogens and other biologically hazardous material in their establishment and are reviewing them in the light of the Shooter report. The chairman of the University Grants Committee has sent copies of the report to all university vice-chancellors asking them to do the same.

Mr. Hoyle

Will my right hon. Friend, in the light of that reply, appoint trade union representatives to the UGC? This would ensure that safety was examined. It would also widen the membership of that body away from narrow professional parameters.

Mrs. Williams

Members of the University Grants Committee are appointed on a personal basis, not as representatives of bodies. Trade unionists can be considered for membership. I would like to assure my hon. Friend, on the basis of his question, that the most urgent steps have been taken by the research councils. We have asked the universities through the UGC to take urgent steps to assure themselves of the safety of all laboratories in that sector dealing with dangerous pathogens.

Mr. Pavitt

I appreciate the urgent steps taken by my right hon. Friend, but will she take into account the importance of not restricting the research in some of these important areas? Providing that safety is guaranteed and safeguarded, a great deal of research is needed for the prevention of illness.

Mrs. Williams

My hon. Friend has, as usual, pointed to the central problem that we face. On the one side we must assure the safety of the public. On the other hand, we do not want to inhibit experiments and work that might usefully lead to major advances in medical research. I am satisfied that the Medical Research Council and the Agricultural Research Council are in complete control of their laboratories and the work going on in them. I would not want, granted that to inhibit this important and useful work.