§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the anticipated cost of running the new Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority; what are the anticipated revenues from sale of licences for each category of activity; and if he would make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyIn the first full year, 1992–93, the running costs of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority are estimated at £1.7 million. Fees have been set at a level which is intended overall to recoup from treatment and research centres about 50 per cent. of the costs of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. The other 50 per cent. is contributed from public funds. The decision to increase the contribution from public funds from one third, as envisaged during the passage of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, to one half was made following an analysis of the costs once the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority was set up. The proportions reflect the approximate costs attributable to the licensing process, to be recouped from treatment and research centres, and to the wider safeguards and requirements of the Act as laid down by Parliament, to be paid for from public funds.
The initial fee which must accompany an application for a licence to carry out treatment or research has been set as follows:
£ Treatment Licence (including storage) 250 Research Licence (including storage) 100 Treatment centres will be charged an additional fee calculated on the basis of the number of treatment cycles performed by the centre in the year preceding the issue of a licence. The rate is £7 per donor insemination treatment cycle and £30 per in vitro fertilisation treatment cycle.