§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the usual term for the appointment of an hon. Member to the Medical Research Council.
§ Mrs. ThatcherUnder the earlier charter of the Medical Research Council, hon. Members were appointed by Order in Council for as long as they were Members. Under the present charter no member of the council, apart from the chairman and deputy chairman, may be appointed for a term of more than four years in the first instance. Resignations and appointments made to bring terms of office into line with those of other members of the council have had the effect that hon. Members have served on the council for varying periods.