HC Deb 19 February 1963 vol 672 cc40-1W
97. Mr. Wainwright

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science how much was spent in 1962 on official research into the causation of emotional sickness.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

The term "emotional sickness" has no precise medical significance, but conditions to which the term might be attached are studied within general programmes of research on mental illness. Figures for the Medical Research Council's expenditure in this field were given in my reply to the hon. Member for Carlisle (Dr. D. Johnson) on 25th January.

Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he is satisfied that mental health research in general, and research into the problem of schizophrenia in particular, is not being hampered by shortage of finance and the lack of adequate research facilities.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

My reply of 25th January to the hon. Member for Carlisle (Dr. D. Johnson) showed that the expenditure of the Medical Research Council on mental health has increased considerably in recent years. My noble Friend is satisfied that the Council is taking every opportunity to promote new and promising lines of study in this field.