§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his assessment of the costs in real terms of the funding of medical research in 1985, 1986 and 1987.
Mr. JacksonThe Government fund medical research through the science budget. The allocations—at 1987–88 constant prices—for 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987–88 are as follows:
£ million 1985–86 131.3 1986–87 133.8 1987–88 139.8 Additionally, there is funding through the UGC block grants to universities. Precise attribution to medical 462W research is not possible, since universities' research activities cannot be clearly distinguished from other activities including teaching. The latest notional figures for medical research—1987–88 constant prices—are:
£ million 1985–86 157.9 1986–87 161.6 1987–88 162.0
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of the Medical Research Council Alpha programme he funded in 1987; and what percentage he hopes to fund in 1988.
Mr. JacksonI understand from the Medical Research Council that, in the last award year 1986–87, 63 per cent. of alpha-rated project grant applications were awarded; it is for the council to decide what resources it wishes to allocate to grants in the award year 1987–88.