§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to increase his Department's budget allocation to genetic research into the causes of Alzheimer's in the current financial year; [173265]
(2) what percentage of his Department's budget has been allocated to genetic research into the causes of Alzheimer's in each year since 2000. [173268]
§ Dr. LadymanThe Medical Research Council (MRC) is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the United Kingdom and receives its grant in aid from the Office of Science and Technology. Available figures since 2000 for MRC spend on research into the genetic causes of Alzheimer's disease are shown in the table.
£ million Research into the genetic causes of Alzheimer's disease Total expenditure 2002–03 1.8 430 2001–02 1.6 418 2000–01 0.8 370 Source: Medical Research Council The MRC does not allocate funds to particular topics. Research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available and awards are made according to their scientific quality and importance to human health.