§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what study his Department has commissioned through the scientific research councils into the prevalence of research fraud; and what plans he has to commission further studies. [29566]
§ Mr. MaloneIt is the responsibility of the whole medical research community and all its sponsors to ensure good practice in the conduct of research and this operates primarily through the principles of peer review and through guidelines on good practice. The Department's research programmes cover research into health and social care of relevance to the Department and the national health service. The Department has not commissioned work on the more general issues of research conduct and there are no plans, currently, to do so.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what investigations in respect of misconduct are undertaken before research funds are allocated to units undertaking research; and what plans he has to increase the level of these investigations. [29563]
§ Mr MaloneThe Department is committed to maintaining high standards in the commissioning and management of research which operates primarily through peer review and through guidelines on good practice— the Department's code of practice for commissioning and managing research, introduced in 1992.
75WResearch commissioned by the Department, whether from an individual or an academic institution, is subject to the terms of an agreed contract which embodies the code of practice.
With such research management arrangements in place, it is not considered necessary to carry out separate investigations in respect of misconduct before research funds are allocated and there are no plans, at present, to introduce such investigations in the future.