§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how much is allocated by his Department for research and development into kidney machines in the United Kingdom;
(2) how much money is allocated for research and development into portable kidney machines in the United Kingdom;
(3) whether any of the research and development funding for portable kidney 71W machines is placed with Lucas Aerospace; and, if so, what is the total amount made available for the last year in which figures are available;
(4) whether any of the funding for research and development into kidney machines is placed with Lucas Aerospace.
§ Mr. Moyle:Research and development work on kidney machines is carried out mainly by manufacturers and I have no information about their expenditure. My Department's estimated expenditure of about £95,000 in 1978–79 on kidney machines and dialysis equipment is mainly for evaluation of new equipment rather than for research and development. None of this expenditure is related specifically to portable kidney machines and no contracts relating to research and development of kidney machines have been placed with Lucas Aerospace.