HC Deb 29 March 1994 vol 240 cc676-7W
Ms Lynne

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what funds are specifically being allocated to gene therapy and to explore the biochemical pathways in breast cancer.

Mr. Waldegrave

The Medical Research Council's current expenditure on research related to gene therapy for melanoma is £50,000 per annum. The council has very recently awarded support for two new multi-disciplinary teams—one at Birmingham for £2 million and another at the Institute for Cancer Research for £1.1 million—to develop gene therapy for common cancers. Both grants will run for five years.

In 1992–93, the MRC spent £486,000 on projects exploring the biochemical pathways in breast cancer.

The council is always willing to consider soundly based scientific proposals in competition with other applications for research funding.

Ms Lynne

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what funds are being put down for basic laboratory research into breast cancer.

Mr. Waldegrave

In the financial year 1992–93, the Medical Research Council expenditure on breast cancer research was £3.1 million. Included in that figure was £836,000 which was directly related to basic laboratory research into cancer. The council is always willing to consider soundly based scientific proposals in competition with other applications for research funding.