§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the annual report and accounts of the Medicines Control Agency.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyI have received the report and copies have today been laid before both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the requirements of section 5(2) and (3) of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921.
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§ Mr. HargreavesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health who funds the Medicines Control Agency; what are the current levels of funding in 1993; what have been the levels in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Medicines Control Agency, as was agreed when it was established on 1 April 1989, is funded entirely by fees from licence applicants and licence holders, except as regards the subsequent processing of work in progress at 31 March 1989—the costs of which are being met by government funds.
As regards the level of funding required, the costs of the MCA for 1993–94 are estimated to be about £19.4 million.
For each of the last three years the costs have been as shown in the table:
£ million 1990–91 15.2 1991–92 18.2 1992–93 18.5