HC Deb 24 July 1996 vol 282 c480W
Mr. Peter Atkinson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the forthcoming prior options reviews of units sponsored by the Medical Research Council. [40103]

Mr. Ian Taylor

The Government announced on 29 September 1995 that all public sector research establishments would be subject to prior options reviews.

Reviews are now beginning of the MRC's arrangements for sponsoring the Dunn nutrition unit, virology unit, toxicology unit, reproductive biology unit, radiation and genome stability unit and mammalian genetics unit.

These reviews will take place alongside those of establishments parented or sponsored by other Government Departments which are carrying out work in similar or related fields. The reviews will build on any relevant recent studies.

I should welcome comments from interested parties. Comments should be sent by 15 September 1996 to: Dr. Declan Mulkeen, Corporate Affairs Group, MRC Head Office, 20 Park Crescent. London WIN 4AL.