HC Deb 12 June 1989 vol 154 cc278-9W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the specific studies made by his Department regarding the financial and regional requirements for(a) staff time and attention, (b) hospital beds, (c) laboratory monitoring, (d) extra out-patient attention, (e) resources for epidemiological controls and care and (f) other medical services demanded by medical research in the United Kingdom, during the next 10 years.

Mr. Freeman

The Department has not undertaken any such specific studies.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the specific funds to be allocated for medical(a) education and (b) research for each of the next five years.

Mr. Freeman

Responsibilities for the funding of medical education and research are vested in a number of bodies. We intend to ensure, through an appropriate funding mechanism, that hospitals which incur extra costs in future through their support of teaching and research, are not put at a disadvantage by comparison with others.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that the proposals contained in the White Paper, "Working for Patients", will avoid the fragmentation of medical research and making the dissemination of the application of research results throughout the country more difficult.

Mr. Freeman

The Government have stated in their White Paper "Working for Patients" that they are firmly committed to maintaining the quality of research in the NHS. A range of measures will be taken to fulfil this pledge. These include the necessary legislative framework, provision for the service costs of research, and accommodation in the merit award system for consultants engaged in research.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he responded to the comments and observations made by the Medical Research Council to his White Paper "Working for Patients".

Mr. Freeman

A response to the comments and observations of the Medical Research Council will be made in due course. Officials have discussed these matters with the Medical Research Council and these contacts will be maintained.