§ Sir Roger SimsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of expenditure in the year 1997–98 on research into ME, chronic fatigue syndrome, excluding psychiatric investigation; and if he will list the specific projects. [10263]
§ Mr. HoramInformation is not available centrally on expenditure in the national health service on research into chronic fatigue syndrome—myalgic encephalomyelitis. The Department is currently funding a research project through the national health service research and development programme called, "Should GPs manage chronic fatigue syndrome? A controlled trial" and expects to provide a further £6,032 during 1997–98. However, the main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council. It always welcomes high-quality applications and these are judged in open competition with other demands for funding, and awarded according to their scientific quality.