§ Lord Clement-Jonesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What advice they are giving to the Medical Research Council in order to assist it to avoid conflicts of interest among members of its review into autism. [HL436]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Department of Health is in regular contact with the Medical Research Council (MRC) about progress with its review of the causes and epidemiology of autism. It has a well established approach to handling potential conflicts of interest in the development of scientific advice. We welcome the MRC's innovative approach to engaging a broad range of experts and lay people fully in its review. We have full confidence that the review process will ensure that its advice will be fair and balanced.