HC Deb 09 February 1990 vol 166 c805W
Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the National Health Service retains its customary obligation to fund patient care when patients in National Health Service hospitals are participating in charitably funded research studies.

Mr. Freeman

There is a presumption that health authorities should meet the costs of care where the treatment involved forms part of the service which an authority would normally be expected to provide. The district health authority must, however, retain the final decision on how its funds can best be spent in the interests of its patients.