HL Deb 23 July 1998 vol 592 c134WA
Lord Morris of Manchester

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What monies they make available for the funding of bids from researchers into the causes and treatment of cancers; what criteria inform their decisions about such funding; and whether the total sum available in 1997–98 will be increased over the next three years; and [HL2800]

Why their expenditure on Government-funded research into liver cancer was reduced from £29,000 in 1996–97 to nil in 1997–98; and [HL2803]

What improvements they will be seeking over the next three years in research into the causes and the treatment of prostate cancer and liver cancer. [HL2804]

Baroness Jay of Paddington

The Medical Research Council (MRC) is the main agency through which the Government support biomedical research, receiving its grant-in-aid from the Office of Science and Technology, which is part of the Department of Trade and Industry. The Council is an independent body deciding what research to support on its own expert judgment.

Cancer research is one of the MRC's key areas, and it spends some £13 million each year on studies specifically addressing cancer.

There are no pre-determined budgets for Department of Health and National Health Service Research and Development into any specific cancer; decisions on proposals from researchers are made on the merits of the work proposed. The fluctuation in spend stems from the cycle of commissioning, (as projects and programmes start and finish), rather than any policy to change funding levels.

The Research and Development Directorate of the Department of Health is establishing expert groups to consider the research agenda in key areas, including cancer. Professor Michael Clarke (University of Leicester) is leading this work.

The NHS Health Technology Assessment Programme will be funding a study looking at the feasibility of conducting a multicentre randomised trial of treatment for localised prostate cancer; early detection, recruitment strategies and a pilot study. This research is due to commence on 1 October 1998 and will cost £201,914.