HC Deb 23 July 1973 vol 860 cc306-7W
Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the total of public expenditure in grants and loans on cancer research.

Mrs. Thatcher

Single figures of expenditure from public funds are not available. Expenditure on cancer research by the Medical Research Council in 1972–73 was £2–929 million. Further research supported by public funds is carried out under the auspices of the health departments, hospital boards, universities and medical schools. Substantial contributions to cancer research are also made by the voluntary organisations. The United Kingdom Government also make an annual subvention to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The contribution for 1972–73 was £105,000. Government loans are not made in this field.