§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for the future of the Scottish Cancer Trials Office.
§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what functions are performed by the Scottish cancer trials office; what funding has been available since 1980; what funding will be available in 1994–95; and if he will make a statement regarding the future of the Scottish trials office.
§ Mr. StewartNone. The Scottish Cancer Trials Office is an independent organisation which, faced with withdrawal of funding by the Medical Research Council, is closing in August next year. The chief scientist office of the Scottish Office is, through its Scottish cancer therapy network, in close contact with the trials office about its closure arrangements. In addition the chief scientist office itself is always prepared to consider applications for the funding of soundly based research projects in this as in other health-related subjects.