HC Deb 06 March 2000 vol 345 cc506-7W
Mr. McDonnell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support the Government are providing for research into the causes and treatment of Asperger's Syndrome. [112690]

Mr. Hutton

The Medical Research Council (MRC)—which receives most of its income via grant in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry—is the main agency through which the Government support research on the causes and treatment of clinical conditions. In 1998–99 the MRC's spend on research related to autism and Asperger's Syndrome was £1.03 million. The National Research Register also contains details of work supported through the National Health Service Research and development levy or from other sources. It lists a number of Asperger's Syndrome projects currently in progress or recently completed.

Mr. McDonnell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support the Government are providing to organisations catering for the needs of adult suffers of Asperger's Syndrome. [112688]

Mr. Hutton

We are currently funding a three-year project which the National Autistic Society is undertaking to identify the support and care needs of people with Asperger's Syndrome. A key objective of this work is to disseminate the findings to local authorities, other service providers and professionals. These will inform improvements and additions to local provision of services for this group.

Mr. McDonnell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate the Government have made of the number of sufferers of Asperger's Syndrome(a) below and (b) above the age of 18 years. [112687]

Mr. Hutton

Prevalence of Asperger's Syndrome in England is uncertain. A recent estimate provided to the Department is that it appears to affect one child in every 350. This suggests that the number of people in England with Asperger's Syndrome might be approximately 140,000.