§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health at what cost and by which research institutions work has been undertaken into distinguishing between the contribution of tobacco smoke and exposure to substances arising from steel production to the development of chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Department of Health has not commissioned any research into the specific areas mentioned by the hon. Member.
The Medical Research Council (MRC) is the main agency through which the Government fund bio-medical and clinical research in the United Kingdom. The MRC receives its grant in aid from the Department of Education and Science. I understand that the MRC has in the past conducted research into these diseases. The MRC is always willing to consider scientifically sound proposals for research which will be considered in competition with other applications.