Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to fund human tissue banks in respect of humane research; and if he will make a statement. [95662]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 26 October 1999]: In the Comprehensive Spending Review the Medical Research Council was allocated £12 million to develop collections of donated human tissue and biological samples for use in research. The approach is designed to take account of anticipated rapid developments in genetic technologies and the benefits that might ensue from the completion of the human genome project in 2003. The MRC is currently working with the Wellcome Trust, other charities, and industry to consider all the implications of these developments.