§ Mr. BrazierTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made with prior options reviews of public sector research establishments which his Department sponsors. [38988]
§ Mr. HoramAs indicated by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in his announcement of the timetable for prior options reviews on 26 January 1996,Official Report, columns 421–23, the outcome of the reviews of the National Radiological Protection Board, National Biological Standards Board, and the Public Health Laboratory Service are due to be reported to Ministers by December 1996.
Work is drawing to a close on the first of these reviews relating to the National Radiological Protection Board. Reviews of the National Biological Standards Board, and the Public Health Laboratory Service have recently commenced, and will be formally announced in the August edition of "Government Opportunities". Views are being invited from any interested parties, with a direct approach being made to key organisations and individuals.