§ Mr. Anthony D. Wright (Great Yarmouth) (Lab)I rise to present the petition of Action for ME on behalf of the 240,000 people in the UK affected by ME.
The petition
Declares that the direct cost to the nation of lost revenue, benefits and healthcare spend for the 240,000 people with ME amounts to £3.5 billion per annum. The petitioners further declare that a minimum of 1 per cent. of that cost, being £35 million, is required to begin research into this disabling chronic illness for which there is no cure or effective treatment at present.The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons pass legislation to provide for a cross-government response to the wide scale health problem of ME and for the implementation of a fully funded research programme. And the petitioners remain etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.