§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the proposed expenditure on medical research for 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92.
Mr. JacksonThe Government's planning provision for the Medical Research Council, which has responsibility for basic and clinical research, is as follows:
£ million 1989–90 156 1990–91 152 1991–92 152 These figures will be subject to review in the normal way in this year's public expenditure survey.
The University Grants Committee funds medical school and university infrastructure through its general block grant to the universities, but it is not possible to identify sums going to medical research as such for the above years.
Nor are figures available in respect of medical research charities and the pharmaceutical industry, both of which provide major funding for medical research.
§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent(a) the Government and (b) the research councils give priority fundings to specific areas of medical research; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. JacksonThe Government fund basic and clinical medical research mainly by allocations to the Medical Research Council, made on the advice of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils.
The Government have earmarked funds for AIDS research, but it is generally for the Medical Research Council to determine its priorities for funding.
§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been, for each year since 1975, the expenditure on medical research at 1988 prices.
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Mr. JacksonSince 1975–76, Government funding of the Medical Research Council, which has responsibility for basic and clinical medical research, has been as follows :
(1988–89 constant prices) £ million 1975–76 104 1976–77 105 1977–78 98 1978–79 101 1979–80 105 1980–81 112 1981–82 143 1982–83 141 1983–84 143 1984–85 141 1985–86 139 1986–87 141 1987–88 146 1988–89 147 Note:
In 1981–82, £14 million (£20 million at 1988–89 prices) was transferred back to the science budget (MRC) from the Health Departments in respect of funds transferred from the science budget (MRC) to the Health Departments under the "Rothschild" arrangements of 1973–74 to 1975–76.