§ Mr. RowlandsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on cancer research in England in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000; and what estimate he has of expenditure for 2000–01. [153153]
§ Yvette CooperFunding for cancer research in the United Kingdom is provided from a number of different sources, including the Government, charities and industry. The Department does not routinely collect information on all cancer research expenditure in England.
We provide funding for cancer research through the Department, the research councils and the higher education funding councils (HEFC). The main Government agency for research into the causes of and treatments for disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC), which receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry. The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council also supports basic research relevant to health. The research councils operate on a UK-wide basis. The Department provides support funding for research commissioned by the research councils and charities that takes place in the National Health Service as well as commissioning research directly to support policy and service priorities. The HEFC provides funds for research infrastructure in medical schools and other relevant research groups in higher education institutes.
The Department's expenditure on cancer research was approximately £53 million in 1997–98; £75.4 million in 1998–99 and an estimated £77.4 million in 1999–2000. Figures for total Department expenditure in 2000–01 are not yet available.
We have made a commitment to increasing funding for cancer research. The NHS Cancer Plan confirmed that by 2003 we will be investing an additional £20 million each year in the infrastructure for cancer research and an extra £4 million will be invested in prostate cancer research.