Select committee welcomes ‘impressive’ vision for UKCMRI
25 May 2011
The Science and Technology Committee, a select group of UK MPs, has highly commended the “comprehensive, ambitious and ground-breaking scientific vision” for the UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation (UKCMRI). The Medical Research Council (MRC) is one of the major funding partners in the development of the new, world class facility. In a report published today, the Committee said that the UKCMRI “has an excellent chance in delivering its primary objective of benefiting mankind”.
Andrew Miller MP, Chair of the Committee, said:
“This is an exciting project and we are in no doubt of the significant benefits it could bring to life sciences in the UK.”
The Committee raised some concerns about the location of UKCMRI, and the concentration of medical sciences in the ‘golden triangle’ in the south of England.
Sir John Savill, Chief Executive of the MRC said:
“UKCMRI will be a national institute for the national interest. The institute is located in one of the most connected parts of the UK. This project provides opportunities for world-leading, innovative and collaborative research to flourish, and also to bring the health impacts of fundamental research to the public more quickly. The UKCMRI is a key part of the MRC’s strategy to increase the impact of basic science on health, now and for decades to come, so it is reassuring to receive the backing of the select committee.”
UKCMRI will be a stone’s throw away from doctors, nurses and scientists from nearby hospitals and universities. It will also be within easy reach of national and international collaborators through St Pancras International, King’s Cross and Euston as well as London’s five international airports. The institute will attract and train scientific leaders. It will support them to move to lead laboratories in universities, institutes, hospitals and companies throughout the UK. This will encourage and increase the collaborations UKCMRI has been set up to foster.
The Committee acknowledged the local community’s concerns, including availability of sites for social housing and recommended the sale of the MRC-owned National Temperance Hospital site for housing. Whilst we sympathise with the Committee’s view, and with the wishes of the local community, on how this site may be used in the future, we also appreciate the intense scrutiny the Committee have given to the questions around costs and the efforts of the MRC, and the founding partners, to make the most effective use of public funding. The MRC is required to maximise the financial return on its land and property in line with government guidance, and we will look to get the best value for money for the taxpayer.
The Committee also stressed the importance of continued transitional funding and support for staff at the MRC National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), which will close when UKCMRI is fully operational.
Professor Jim Smith, Director of NIMR, said
“We are nearing the end of the normal five-yearly review process that informs the level of support to be provided to NIMR from 2012 to 2017. As Director I am optimistic that NIMR will continue to enjoy support from the MRC, and that our research will continue unabated and at a high level until we move to UKCMRI.”
