§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many research projects into myalgic encephalomyelitis his Department is currently funding; and how much is being provided in each case.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe Scottish Home and Health Department is not at present funding direct research into myalgic encephalomyelitis but is funding at a total of £38,700 a surveillance project on viral infections which has relevance to this condition.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received any representations about the level of funding of research into myalgic encephalomyelitis; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThis issue was raised in some representations about the private Member's Bill on myalgic encephalomyelitis proposed by the hon. Member for Clydesdale (Mr. Hood). A project on the serological surveillance of Coxsackie B virus infection, which is relevant to this condition, is currently being funded by the Scottish Home and Health Department. Argyll and Clyde health board has part-funded research relating to myalgic 497W encephalomyelitis and on the advice of one of the Scottish Home and Health Department's committees the Scottish Hospital Endowments Research Trust has recently offered funding for a research project also relating to this condition.