HC Deb 10 December 1974 vol 883 cc116-7W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the amount spent on research into the cause of epilepsy; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Prentice

It is not possible to evaluate the cost of research on epilepsy since work in this field often forms part of wider programmes of neurological and allied research.

Clinical neurology is one of the areas in which the Medical Research Council wishes to encourage an increase in the number of fully trained and active investigators. The council is supporting research in epilepsy in three of its own establishments and through grants to several university departments. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services is also supporting projects at three special centres set up to improve services for epileptic patients and will be carrying out an evaluation of all services

Year Chairs financed by University funds Chairs jointly financed by University and outside sponsors Chair financed financed by Independent sponsors Total number of Chairs Net increase
1968–69 336 25 19 380
1969–70 363 27 19 409 29
1970–71 403 23 11 437 28
1971–72 Not available
1972–73 411 35 9 455 18

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in which fields of clinical medicine there is only one academic chair.

Mr. Prentice

In 1971–72 there was one academic chair in the following nine fields of clinical medicine:

  • Nuclear Medicine.
  • Computers and Medicine.
  • Otorhinolaryngology.
  • Cardiac Surgery.
  • Forensic Psychiatry.
  • Psychological Statistics.
  • Human Nutrition.
  • Medical Helminthology.
  • Plastic Surgery.

More recent information is not readily available.