HC Deb 19 June 1990 vol 174 cc512-3W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications of the reduction of the Heteroptera sub-section of the natural history museum for research related to bed bugs, as vectors of diseases.

Mr. Dorrell

None. We are not aware of any new problems which would necessitate the Department sponsoring research in this area.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications of any reduction of research work on fossils and fossil plants at the natural history museum for medical research.

Mr. Dorrell

None. The Medical Research Council (MRC) is the Government's main agency for the promotion of medical and related biomedical research in the United Kingdom. The MRC receives its grant in aid from the Department of Education and Science.