HC Deb 17 January 1995 vol 252 cc576-7
11. Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has been provided for research into epilepsy in the past financial year.

Mr. Bowis

The main channel is through the Medical Research Council, which spent a total of £472,000 during 1993–94 on research into epilepsy, an increase of 40 per cent. over the previous year.

Mrs. Gillan

I congratulate my hon. Friend on the increase of 40 per cent. in spending on research into epilepsy. Is he aware that the world's first scanner dedicated to treatment and research on epilepsy will be opened this spring at the National Society for Epilepsy in Chalfont St. Peter in my constituency? The society is delighted that the Secretary of State is to visit the scanner to see its progress. Will my hon. Friend take this opportunity to thank the private donors who have raised £1.75 million to build that scanner, which will bring much help, treatment and relief to the many sufferers of epilepsy?

Mr. Bowis

I am happy to join my hon. Friend in the tribute that she pays to both the National Society for Epilepsy and the donors who have made the scanner possible. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is looking forward to opening it next week. I confirm the Government's real commitment to epilepsy. In recent months, not only did I open the Centre for Epilepsy and launch the Institute for Epileptology, but I have recently asked our officials to consider and come forward with plans for new initiatives in that area.

Mr. Tipping

Will the Minister ensure that research into epilepsy leads to action on behalf of people who have epilepsy and that people who want to work in the national health service are not refused jobs because they are epileptic?

Mr. Bowis

The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. The work, including research, which we and the whole medical profession have been doing, is into educating general practitioners and the public. That includes employers, so that they accept people with epilepsy. It is to help people to live with the problem and also to encourage research. All those matters are on our agenda, which I am delighted to share with the hon. Gentleman.