§ Mr. Reidasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest figures of expenditure for research into autism; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. MulleyI have been asked to reply.
Two of the Medical Research Council's research establishments are carrying out studies directly concerned with autism, and the council is also providing grant support for work on this disorder. But no figure for total expenditure by the council on research on autism can be isolated since such research forms part of the council's programme in the field of mental health generally. A wide range 552W of basic research is being supported on the biochemistry and physiology of the brain and on early language development which is relevant to autism. Research on autism is also being carried out in a number of university departments, and a valuable contribution is made by voluntary bodies, notably the Mental Health Trust and Research Fund. The Department of Health and Social Security is also sponsoring some research in this field, at a cost of about £11,000 in 1974–75.