§ Mr. Rhodes JamesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list for the years 1979–80 and 1989–90(a) total applications, (b) alpha applications, (c) awards and (d) alpha applications unfunded in Medical Research Council grants to cell systems and neurosciences projects.
Mr. JacksonThe following table lists the figures for academic years 1979–80 and 1988–89. Figures for the academic year 1989–90 are not yet available.
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Project grants and year Neurosciences Systems Cell Total 1988–89 231 233 207 671 Awards made 1979–80 142 228 166 536 1988–89 121 130 119 370 Alpha applications not funded 1979–80 6 5 4 15 1988–89 110 103 88 301 The Medical Research Council has reduced in recent years the proportion of funds available for short-term awards to universities in order to concentrate on long-term programmes both in universities and Medical Research Council establishments and to meet new problems such as AIDS.