§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, to mark the International Year of Disabled People, he will seek to increase public expenditure on research into Down's syndrome; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 12 January 1981, c. 488]: The Medical Research Council is the main Government-funded body supporting research into Down's syndrome, from support by the Department of Education and Science and the health Departments. The council is currently supporting an extensive programme of research relevant to Down's syndrome and a number of inter-related studies are being funded directly by my Department. We recognise the opportunity offered by the 142W International Year of Disabled People and are always ready to consider whether additional research can be commissioned within the bounds of availability of financial and scientific resources.