§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much research is being carried out, whether from private or public funds, into causes, treatment and prevention of multiple sclerosis; if she will investigate, as a matter of urgency, all claims made regarding possible cures; if she will consider the resumption and further support of cancelled multiple sclerosis research programmes; and if she will make a statement.
220Was a proportion of the respective population.
§ Mr. Alec JonesAccording to a 10 per cent. sample from the 1971 Census, economically active and retired persons aged 15 and over in each of the social classes were:
§ Dr. OwenResearch into multiple sclerosis is sponsored chiefly by the Medical Research Council and by the university medical schools. The Council is supporting several teams, including the MRC demyelinating diseases unit at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. A substantial amount of research effort is being devoted to the study of this condition, and basic scientific research supported by the council may also prove to have a bearing on the problem. Research over the whole field is planned by the Medical Research Council and the Health Departments under arrangements which provide for systematic periodic review and also for taking advantage of opportunities when they occur. I am not able to say to what extent private funds are devoted to this area of research.
Neither my Department nor the Medical Research Council normally undertakes the initial investigation of claims made regarding possible cures for diseases. The usual procedure would be for any claim relating to an advance in knowledge including a new and effective treatment for a disease to be published in a medical or scientific journal. It would then be for the scientific community as a whole to appraise and evaluate this work and for members of the medical profession to determine, by the exercise of their clinical judgment, whether to adopt the method in the treatment of their patients. Where a person wishes to conduct research into a possible cure for a disease he may apply to the Medical Research Council or my Department, as appropriate, for support.
221WI am not aware of any programme of research into multiple sclerosis having been cancelled.
A recent conference in London, sponsored jointly by the MRC and the Multiple Sclerosis Society, was attended by specialists in many aspects of research on the disease from this country and abroad. The expert contributions covered a wide range of research studies relating to multiple sclerosis, including work on methods of treatment. This conference provided the opportunity for a valuable exchange of views between those most actively concerned with determining the directions of future research. It is hoped that the proceedings will be published in due course. In addition, the conference proceedings will form a basis for a joint policy, agreed between the council and my Department, for the furtherance of future research work in this field.