§ Lord Hastings asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether in view of the Medical Research Council's current expenditure of £166,000 to research projects in any way connected with epilepsy of which £70,000 is directed to projects specifically for epilepsy research they will encourage the Medical Research Council to increase its grants to epilepsy research.
§ Lord Cavendish of FurnessMy Lords, I understand from the MRC that in 1989–90—the last year for which figures are available—its expenditure on research on epilepsy was £310,000. The MRC receives its grant-in-aid from the Department of Education and Science, but is an independent body established by Royal Charter. It must be for the MRC to decide on the balance of funding for the areas of research within its responsibility.
§ Lord HastingsMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer, and for the improved figures compared with those in an article published in the Royal College of Physicians' journal last January. Is he aware that previous to that last figure the MRC spent less than 50p per head on the number of victims of epilepsy and up to 10 times more on those who suffer from multiple sclerosis—
§ Lord HastingsMy Lords, I apologise. The MRC spent 100 times more on those who suffer from muscular dystrophy. Does he consider that to be reasonable?
§ Lord Cavendish of FurnessMy Lords, I appreciate that my noble friend's figures and mine conflict. That may result from areas of research being left out of his figures. I can only speculate.
It is true that 90p per sufferer is spent on research into epilepsy compared with £200 per head on muscular dystrophy. However, one in 200 people suffer from epilepsy and per head measurements are, therefore, wholly unrealistic. If one were to state that 1p pet head was spent on research into the common cold, the funding would be greater than with a rarer disease. In the circumstances, I believe that there are no complaints about the level of funding for epilepsy.
§ Lord Cocks of HartcliffeMy Lords, one in 200 represents one-third of a million people. Is the Minister aware that epilepsy has unfortunate social and economic consequences? Will he press the MRC to reassess the allocation of resources to that research?
§ Lord Cavendish of FurnessMy Lords, it is a terrible condition and one's heart goes out to anyone who suffers from epilepsy. However, the MRC is established by Royal Charter and we are not permitted to try to influence it. It must be responsible for its own decisions.
§ Lord McColl of DulwichMy Lords, does the Minister agree that the Medical Research Council takes endless trouble in its assessments of the applications and that it does an exceptionally good job? Does he also agree that there is no way that the Medical Research Council can allocate funds for research into epilepsy unless there are enough applications for those funds? The council cannot force people to carry out research into subjects that they do not wish to research?
§ Lord Cavendish of FurnessMy Lords, my noble friend is right. The MRC operates to an enormously high standard. I understand that recent applications have not measured up in scientific quality to qualify for research grants.
§ Lord MulleyMy Lords, one understands that it would be wrong for the Government to tell the Medical Research Council how it should allocate its funds. However, the possibilities of research are conditioned by the amount of money that the Government make available. That is totally the Government's responsibility.
§ Lord Cavendish of FurnessMy Lords, I understand that the MRC is well pleased with the latest allocation.
The Earl of HalsburyMy Lords, will the Minister confirm his answer to the noble Lord, Lord McColl, that research councils exist for the purpose of funding research of special timeliness and promise on a selective basis? Throwing money at a target is not the way to solve the problem.
§ Lord Cavendish of FurnessMy Lords, the noble Earl is absolutely right on the approach of the Medical Research Council. Furthermore, it has not come to our notice that research into epilepsy has shortcomings. Indeed, the reputation of British research into epilepsy is second to none in the world.
§ Lord PestonMy Lords, I agree entirely with the Minister that such bodies must be allowed to be independent. However, does he agree with my experience, having sat on one research council, that Whitehall departments have their ways of letting us know the areas in which they believe practical research can take place? Is the Minister saying that in the case of epilepsy neither the Department of Education nor the Department of Health have taken a view on the relative importance of epilepsy research and are leaving the MRC to respond to whatever applications are put forward? Is there no government view on the issue?
§ Lord Cavendish of FurnessMy Lords, if the Government have any anxieties it is probable that there are means of letting that be known, as the noble 1183 Lord said. A wide range of charities support epilepsy and it has not been brought to our notice that the area is underfunded.
§ Lord HastingsMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that the British Epilepsy Research Foundation, of which I have the honour to be chairman, was originally set up by the British Epilepsy Association? Is he further aware that the foundation is in the process of being reorganised on a truly national basis in order to attract substantial funds for medical research into not only the treatment of epilepsy, which forms the major part of normal research on the subject, but more specifically into the prevention and cure of epilepsy, in particular among children? I am informed by experts that such research will be successful in the near future provided that sufficient funds are forthcoming. May I express the hope that when the research gets under way it will receive the practical support of Her Majesty's Government and, indeed, any Member of your Lordships' House who is interested in this important and fascinating subject?
§ Lord Cavendish of FurnessMy Lords, I take this opportunity of paying tribute to my noble friend for the work that he has carried out on epilepsy for a great many years. I and other noble Lords are delighted to hear the news of the new initiative. I am sure that Her Majesty's Government will be pleased to follow progress and will look sympathetically at any requests that are made.