§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in the light of rapid advances in medical technology, what recent studies his Department has undertaken into the costs of further research into technologies which could prevent disability; whether such costs have been weighed against the cost to the United Kingdom of preventable disability; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William SheltonI am not aware that any appraisal on the scale envisaged in the question has been attempted. Within the sums of money paid by my Department as grant or grant-in-aid to universities and research councils, it is for those bodies to determine the proportion to be devoted to research into medical technology taking account of their own policies and other priorities.