§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider instituting the treatment for retinitis pigmentosa currently applied by the Helmholtz Institute in Moscow in the United Kingdom utilising National Health Service facilities.
§ Dr. OwenAlthough the general basis of the treatment for retinitis pigmentosa provided at the Helmholtz Institute is known, exact details of the composition of the injections used and the method of preparation have not been published. Until such time as they are it would not be possible to provide the treatment in50W this country. Once these details are available I will consider whether it would be desirable to mount a trial involving its use; although my hon. Friend is no doubt aware of the considerable doubt amongst the medical profession in this country whether this treatment will prove to be effective.