§ Mr. SarwarTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to continue and develop further research into prostate-related illnesses. [121471]
§ Yvette CooperGovernment funding for research is provided through a number of routes. The Medical Research Council (MRC) is the main agency through which we support research on the causes and treatment of disease. The MRC 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. The Department funds research to support policy development in health and social care, and to support effective practice in the National Health Service. The Department also provides NHS support funding for research commissioned by the MRC and charities that takes place in the NHS.
Since 1997 we have committed over £800,000 to new research projects on prostate cancer, through the Medical Research Council and through the Department of Health. The Department recently announced £1 million additional new funding for urgent research studies into prostate cancer as a mark of its concern over this disease.
Following the seminar last year at No.10 a "Cancer Research Funders' Forum" has been established to help improve the co-ordination of cancer research in the United Kingdom. It is being run by the MRC and includes Departmental representatives and the major cancer research charities. At the Department's request, the Forum considered the issue of prostate cancer at its first meeting 241W on 10 January. It agreed to set up an expert group on prostate cancer, which will identify gaps in current research and suggest ways of filling them. The expert group met for the first time on 25 February, and expects to report within months.
We have recently appointed a National Cancer Director, Professor Mike Richards, who will spearhead our concerted drive on cancer. He will work in partnership with doctors, nurses, general practitioners, other health professionals and the voluntary sector to improve prevention and modernise cancer services to help ensure equitable access to high quality cancer care. This will include a close interest in the development and progression of research.
In addition the Department is spending approximately £550,000 on research into benign prostatic hyperplasia.