§ 59. Sir M. Galpernasked the Minister of Health, in view of the fact that rheumatism is now costing the country £120 million a year in lost work and treatment, if he will formally recognise the study of the disease as a special field of medicine in its own right.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonRecognition of a separate speciality is primarily a matter for the medical profession, but there are a number of consultant appointments in rheumatology in National Health Service hospitals.
§ 60. Sir M. Galpernasked the Minister of Health what was the amount of the annual contribution from his Department during each of the last five years for specific research on rheumatism and arthritis.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonNone specifically for this purpose. Medical research is primarily the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science. Funds are allocated by me to hospital boards for locally organised clinical research but there is no central record of the amounts they devote to particular fields of research.