§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the terms of reference, or duties under Charter, of the Medical Research Council.
§ Mr. Gerry FowlerI am writing to the hon. Member.
Chairman Appointed His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, K.G., P.C., T.D., F.R.S August 1969 Members Professor I. R. C. Batchelor, M.D., D.P.M., F.R.C.P.E., F.R.S.E., F.R.C.Psych October 1972 Sir Douglas Black, M.D., M.Sc, F.R.C.P October 1973 Sir John Brotherston, M.D., F.R.C.P.E., F.R.C.P.G., F.R.S.E., D.P.H. October 1973 J. P. Bull, C.B.E., M.D., F.R.C.P October 1971 D. G. Davey, O.B.E., Ph.D October 1971 Professor Sir Richard Doll, O.B.E., D.M., D.Sc, F.R.C.P., F.R.S October 1970 Professor A. C. Dornhorst, M.D., F.R.C.P. October 1973 Sir John Gray, M.B., Sc.D., F.I.Biol., F.R.S. (Secretary) March 1973 The Rt. Hon. the Earl of Halsbury, B.Sc, F.R.I.C, F.I.P., F.R.S October 1973 Helen Muir, M.A., D.Phil October 1973 Professor R. R. Porter, Ph.D., F.R.S October 1970 G. F. Vaughan, M.P., M.B., F.R.C.P., F.R.C.Psych., D.P.M March 1973 Professor R. B. Welbourn, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.S October 1971 Professor T. P. Whitehead, Ph.D., M.C.B., M.R.C.Path., F.R.I.C October 1972 H. Yellowlees, C.B., B.M., M.R.C.S., F.R.C.P., F.F.C.M December 1973 Notes: 1. Sir Douglas Black previously served as a member of the council from October 1971 to April 1973, and Sir John Gray from July 1968 to September 1972. 2. Sir Douglas Black and Dr. Yellowlees were appointed on the nomination of the Secretary of State for Social Services and Sir John Brotherston on the nomination of the Secretary of State for Scotland (see paragraph 47 of Cmnd. 5046, July 1972). Under the charter of the council not less than three-quarters of the remaining members of the council, all of whom serve in a personal capacity, are appointed on account of their qualifications in science. 3. Honoraria for service on the council are not payable to Dr. Bull or Sir John Gray, who are salaried members of the Council's staff, to Dr. Vaughan, since he is a Member of Parliament, or to the "departmental" members (note 2 above). Other members are entitled to honoraria of £750 a year and the chairman to an honorarium of £1,000 a year.
§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the grant from public funds to the Medical Research Council for each of the last 10 years.
§ Mr. Gerry FowlerThe Medical Research Council's grant-in-aid administered by my right hon. Friend's Department was, in round figures, as follows in the years indicated:
458W
£ million 1964–65 … … … … 8.8 1965–66 … … … … 10.0 1966–67 … … … … 11.8
§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list the present members of the Medical Research Council, indicating in each case their qualifications, the salary or fees payable for their service on the council, their length of service on the council, and whether each is appointed in a personal capacity or on the nomination of a professional body or organisation.
§ Mr. Gerry FowlerThe information is as follows:
1967–68 … … … … 13.8 1968–69 … … … … 15.2 1969–70 … … … … 17.6 1970–71 … … … … 21.0 1971–72 … … … … 23.5 1972–73 … … … … 26.8 1973–74 … … … … 24.6 In addition, the council received:
1. Sums, rising from about £0.6 million in 1964–65 to about £1.3 million in 1973–74, from various Government Departments in respect of activities whose cost was shared, and
about £3.3 million in 1973–74 from "customer" Departments under the arrangements described in the White Paper "Framework for Government Research and Development" (Cmnd. 5046, July 1972).
459W
§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what sums have been allocated by the Medical Research Council for research into arthritis and rheumatism for the current financial year.
§ Mr. Gerry FowlerAs I stated in reply to a Question by the hon. Member on 29th April 1974—[Vol. 872, c. 379]—it is not possible to isolate a figure for research expenditure on arthritis and rheumatism. Major research programmes are in progress at the Medical Research Council Rheumatism Unit and at the Clinical Research Centre, and two other council establishments are pursuing relevant studies. In addition, three of the council's research groups are carrying out basic research related to rheumatism and the council has awarded a number of programme and project grants for work in this field.