§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
How much was spent on cancer research in the United Kingdom for each of the years 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02 showing how much was funded by the Government and how much was funded from other sources; and [HL4978]
95WAHow much was spent on research in the United Kingdom into (a) breast cancer and (b) prostate cancer for each of the years 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02 showing how much was funded by the Government and how much was funded from other sources; and [HL4979]
Whether they believe that the amounts spent on research into breast and prostate cancer are adequate; and [HL4980]
What are their priorities for Government funded research into cancer for 2002–03 and subsequent years and how much money will be allocated for that purpose. [HL4981]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Government's total expenditure on cancer research in 2000–01 is estimated to be £190 million. This figure includes expenditure by the Department of Health, its equivalents in the devolved administrations, the Medical Research Council, the other research councils and the Higher Education Funding Council for England. The charities are thought to have invested about £180 million—or roughly the same amount—in that year. No estimates of total expenditure have been made for the previous or following years. The pharmaceutical industry is estimated to spend around £500 million a year on cancer research.
But getting valid and accurate figures on cancer research is difficult. It is often impossible to distinguish between basic or biological research that is relevant to cancer from that relevant to other disease processes. It can also be difficult to differentiate between costs attributable to research and those attributable to services. And research on cancers in general will often contribute to both breast and prostate cancer advances.
In the NHS Cancer Plan of September 2000, the Government confirmed their commitment to increasing their funding for cancer research. In 2000–01, the Department of Health spent £83.8 million. This includes £73.2 million on NHS support for projects funded by the research councils and charities. By 2003–04, the Department of Health is committed to investing an additional £20 million each year in the infrastructure for cancer research and an extra £4 million on prostate cancer research. These had been identified as priorities. The increase in investment in the infrastructure for cancer research is proceeding exactly according to plan. In 2001–02, the department invested an additional £5 million.
In April 2001, the Government set up the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) in partnership with the charities and the pharmaceutical industry. The NCRI is providing strategic oversight of cancer research across the United Kingdom. This will help to ensure that the nation's total investment in cancer research is directed to best effect. The NCRI is developing a database of research funded by its members, and this will include expenditure.