HC Deb 29 March 1994 vol 240 cc688-9W
Mr. Garnier

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement about the future of the centre for applied microbiology and research.

Mr. Sackville

I announced on 15 January 1993 that the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research was to become independent of the Public Health Laboratory Service and would be separately accountable to Health Ministers. I can now announce that the centre will, from 1 April, be administered by a new authority called the Microbiological Research Authority under the chairmanship of Mr. J. E. Everitt, outgoing chairman and chief executive of Vickers Medical. I have also agreed to the appointment of Dr. J. Melling as chief executive and director of the centre. The greater independence and more appropriate management expertise provided by these measures should enable the centre to develop its full scientific and commercial potential.