§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultancy contracts have been secured by the new centre for applied microbiology and research at Porton Down; what other Government Department's have placed contracts at the centre; what is the total value of those contracts; and if she will make a statement on the operation of the Microbiological Research Authority since 1 April.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research—CAMR—provides a range of services including consultancy advice, research, development and production. Many contracts involve some or all of these services. Since 1 April 1994, CAMR has secured 26 consultancy-only contracts at a total value of £72,000 and 11 contracts involving consultancy and other services with a value of £2 million in 1994–95. In addition CAMR is providing similar services under pre-existing contracts to the value of £5.5 million. Three contracts have been placed by other Government Departments with a total value of £387,000 in 1994–95.
Since 1 April the authority has completed a major reorganisation of the centre to give a better focus to its operations and has created a business development unit to seek additional external income. I look forward to meeting the staff and reviewing progress when I visit the centre in September.