§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied with the level of funding of clinical research in hospitals.
§ Mr. BrookeThe Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in-aid through the Department, is the main Government agency for the promotion of medical research in the United Kingdom. It is for the Council to decide on the distribution of the resources available to it between the various areas of medical research, including clinical research in hospitals. Clinical research is also supported by hospitals and universities, the latter using part of the funds allocated to them for teaching and research on the advice of the University Grants Committee.
I understand that, within the resources it has, the council wishes both to maintain its commitment to clinical research, taking into account the level of support available from universities and hospitals, and to invest in outstanding research opportunities which the council has identified.