§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister what representations she has received from the hon. Member for West Lothian about Government policy on biomedical electronics; if she will set up an inter-departmental study of the need for co-ordinated Government policy in this area; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterI have received a letter from the hon. Member enclosing a copy of a memorandum by Dr. C. W. Smith of the University of Salford. The responsibility for central Government policy on biomedical electronics rests, as to different aspects of policy, with several Departments, particularly the Departments of Education and Science, Health and Social Security, and Industry.
I am satisfied that there is adequate policy co-ordination, between the Departments concerned, in the area of biomedical engineering, which includes biomedical electronics, and I see no need to set up an interdepartmental study. I shall be placing information about present activities in biomedical electronics in the Library of the House shortly.