§ 78. Mr. Hunterasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what was the amount spent in 1961 on medical research into the causes of arthritis and rheumatism; whether this amount represents an increase over the previous year; and what plans he has for increasing this medical research work in the future.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethI can only give figures of research financed by the Medical Research Council, which in 1961–62 spent about £104,000 on research into rheumatic diseases compared with £80,000 in 1960–61. It is not now considered feasible to distinguish expenditure on research into the causes of these diseases from expenditure on research on other aspects of the subject, such as treatment. This is the explanation of the difference between the figure for 1960–61 given here and the figure given to the hon. Member on 22nd April, 1961, of £56,000 for that year.
Plans for expansion are matters for the Council, which informs me that it has recently reviewed the whole field and will expand its programme whenever opportunity occurs.