§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research the Government are undertaking on the causes and prevention of child abuse.
§ Mr. John PattenThe Department has recently funded two major research studies which are designed to throw light on the causes and prevention of child abuse. The results of one are currently being considered, the second study has only just started. In addition this area of work has been identified as a priority for research funding in the future.
The Medical Research Council is the main Government-funded body supporting research in this field from its grant-in-aid under the science budget from the Department of Education and Science. The council is funding some basic research in the neurological and psychiatric fields which may have some relevance to this subject.