§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will give details of the work currently being carried out at the Porton Down centre for applied microbiology; and if he will make a statement about this work;
(2) what is the current level of funding given by his Department to the Porton Down centre for applied microbiology; what are the figures for each of the previous five years at current prices; and what will be the funding for 1982–83 onwards.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe work of the centre for applied Microbiology and research is described in the latest annual report on the public health laboratory service, a copy of which I am placing in the Library of the House.
255WFunding of the centre by the Department began in 1979–80. Within the funding of the public health
£ million (1982–83 cash levels) 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83. * 1983–84 * 1984–85 Revenue 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.5 3.5 Capital 0.3 0.55 0.4 † 1.025 † 4.3 † 1.9 * Provisional figures. † Includes special development money for new vaccine and therapeutic material production facilities.