§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services on what date an expert panel considered an application for funding from Quest for a Test for Cancer for a wide clinical trial due to start in January 1988; on what date the panel made a decision upon the application; when the National Health Services procurement directorate knew of the panel's decision; and when it was communicated to the applicant.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe expert panel chaired by the Department's chief scientist, Professor O'Grady, met on 26 February 1988 to review some 13 applications for research funding on a similar theme and made recommendations the same day. This included a 245W recommendation that the project to which the hon. Member refers should not, as submitted, be funded by the Department. However, the Department contacted the applicant on 15 April to discuss a new proposal for further collaborative work with a view to commercial exploitation of the screening method involved.