HC Deb 31 July 1974 vol 878 cc402-3W
Mr. Hooson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many men, women and children, respectively, in this country are known to be suffering from the rare neuro-muscular disease of myasthenia gravis.

Dr. Owen

I am afraid that detailed statistics on the incidence of this disease are not readily available. However it is thought that there are in total up to 2,500 sufferers of myasthenia gravis and the related myasthenia syndrome in this country at any one time.

Mr. Hooson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what financial provision is made by the Government for research specifically into myasthenia gravis.

Dr. Owen

Financial provision is not made specifically for research into the disease: but the Medical Research Council and various universities are conducting research in neurobiology and in the functioning of muscles, which may advance knowledge of the disease.

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