§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by how much the grant-in-aid to the Medical Research Council has been changed in real terms as between 1983–84 and 1984–85; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeThe grant-in-aid to the Medical Research Council in cash terms is as follows:
£ million 1983–84 113.7 1984–85 117.2 Converted to 1983–84 cost terms the above figures become:
£ million 1983–84 113.7 1984–85 111.6 I understand that in 1984–85 the council is facing increased commitments, including increased employers' contributions to its pension fund and higher subscriptions to international scientific bodies, which are having to be accommodated within its grant-in-aid. The council's estimate is that these commitments will result in a reduction in disposable income of about £2 million in 1984–85. I recognise that this loss of purchasing power causes difficulties for the council, but the Government are determined that public expenditure should be contained, and the science budget, from which the council's grant-in-aid is derived, cannot be exempt from these general disciplines.
§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many research programmes financed by the Medical Research Council with grant aid from the Government are currently taking place within the private health sector; what is their estimated total cost; and what proportion of the total Medical Research Council funding this represents.
§ Mr. BrookeI understand that the Medical Research Council is not at present supporting any research programmes in private clinics or hospitals.