§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what funding is given to projects researching the causes and treatment of acquired immune deficiency syndrome; and what support is being provided for its sufferers.
§ Mr. BrookeThe Medical Research Council, which is the main Government agency for the support of biomedical research, has recently awarded grants totalling approximately £250,000 to support research projects on acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Further applications are under consideration. The provision of treatment is a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Social Services. I understand however, that although several types of therapy are currently being tried, there is so far no specific treatment for the underlying immune deficiency. What support is given in a particular case is a matter of clinical judgment and would depend on the presenting symptoms.