§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the allocation to applied 140W research for medical science in 1973 or for the latest 12-month period for which figures are available was specifically directed at ways and means of enabling the disabled to lead a fuller life and to make a bigger contribution to the community.
§ Sir K. JosephI have been asked to reply.
There are no specific allocations of funds for applied medical research. However, in 1972–73 the Health Departments spent approximately one-eighth of their total health research budget on research which could be regarded as being directed towards enabling the disabled to lead a fuller life. This included research into aids and appliances for blind, deaf and limbless disabled people and also the rehabilitation of those who have suffered disabling diseases. In addition, support is provided for social science research intended to find ways of improving the quality of life for the disabled.
The Medical Research Council is also carrying out a number of studies on aids for the disabled including work on artificial limbs and mobility aids for the blind and has designated research into the problems of the deaf as an area which requires special encouragement. It is not, however, possible to say what percentage of the total MRC expenditure these studies represent.