§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the proportion of (a) members and (b) staff of the Medical Research Council who are active medical practitioners; who advises him on the composition of the Medical Research Council; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldenI understand that as at 1 January 1986 seven members of the Medical Research Council (MRC) and 170 members of MRC's staff were medical practitioners engaged in the clinical care of patients. These figures constitute, respectively, 37 per cent. of the council's membership and 16 per cent. of the scientifically qualified staff.
In appointing members to the council, my right hon. Friend consults those ministerial colleagues principally concerned as well as the council itself; and, in the case of members appointed on account of their qualifications in science, the president of the Royal Society. Such consultation is in accordance with the terms of "Framework for Government Research and Development" (Cmnd. 5046) and of the MRC's charter.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what expert advice his Department offers to the Medical Research Council regarding essential areas for new medical research; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldenNone. It is not the Department's function to offer such advice. It is for the Medical Research Council (MRC) to decide how to apportion the grant-in-aid it receives from the Department's science budget between the various areas of science which it supports, and to take a view on which new areas should be considered essential. However, in advising my right hon. Friend on the allocation of the science budget amongst the research councils and other bodies the Advisory Board for the Research Councils broadly considers, and explores with MRC, the balance of its scientific programmes. There is also continuous liaison at all levels between the MRC and the health departments.