§ Mr. Terry Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how much money, compared with 1974–75, will be allocated for medical research into diseases of the digestive tract—that is ulcers, liver disease, gallstones, cancer of the digestive tract, ulcerative colitis Chohn's disease, Ceoliac disease, and disorders of the bowel;
(2) what priority is being given to research into peptic ulcers, liver disease, gallstones, cancer of the digestic tract, ulcerative colitis, Chohn's disease, Ceoliac 382W disease, and disorders of the bowel, respectively.
§ Mr. MulleyThe Medical Research Council hopes to continue its expenditure on research in the general field of gastroenterology at about the same level in real terms as in 1974–75. The Council gives high priority to clinical trials in cancer therapy, including two new trials of treatment in cancer of the digestive tract. Other research expenditure is incurred by the universities; and the Health Departments, directly and through health authorities, fund research into health services for these diseases. The balance of support for research within this field is under review. A report prepared by a sub-committee of the Council has recently been made available to the scientific community for comment before a joint policy is formulated by the Council and the Health Departments on the priority to be attached to different aspects of the work.