APPENDIX 120
Supplementary memorandum from N Michael
Green, Department of Mathematical Biology, National Institute
for Medical Research
THE FUTURE
OF NIMR
Further comment following previous submission,
(Appendix 4), and the evidence session of the committee 10 January
2005.
The confusion following the fifth and final
meeting of the task force concerning the status of the Mill Hill
option, stems directly from the lack of consultation at an earlier
stage. This deficiency was also the source of the lack of trust,
which has led to the present impasse. It was only after the task
force had completed its work that the MRC asked NIMR to put forward
proposals for its future, so that the task force were influenced
by the unsubstantiated opinion of the MRC that long term development
at the Mill Hill site was not an option. The Step Change Option
proposed by NIMR shows how the requirements of the MRC vision
for the future of the NIMR could be met, based mainly on the present
site coupled to parallel clinical developments elsewhere. These
proposals were not available until late November. It is clear
from the answers of Professors Flavell and Tomlinson to questions
from your committee that they knew nothing about them.
The MRC thus becomes the sole arbiter. It is
to be hoped that they will give proper consideration to the Step
Change Option. Unfortunately one is left with the feeling that
it may end like the Caucus race in Alice in Wonderland, followed
by the Mouse's tale—"I'll be judge, I'll be jury said
cunning old Fury—I'll try the whole cause and condemn you
to death".
January 2005
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