§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will provide additional funds for the Medical Research Council to ensure that medical research is not restricted because of the effect of Government policy on medical institutions of imposing cuts in grants based on a formula which takes into account the numbers of overseas students at each such institution.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneNo. As my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State told my hon. Friend the Member for Chippenham (Mr. Needham) on 11 December—[Vol. 975, c.609]—he has accepted the recommendation of the advisory board for the research councils that the allocation from the science budget to the Medical Research Council in 1980–81 should be£50.9 million at 1979 survey prices. In formulating its advice on the distribution of the science budget the board had regard to the role of all the research councils in supporting specific research activities at university institutions.