§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he allocates any funds for research into respiratory conditions in children; and, if so, what funds are so spent on which conditions.
§ Mr. MoyleYes. My Department is currently supporting a number of studies involving respiratory conditions in children.
Professor Walter Holland's unit at St. Thomas' Hospital is undertaking a 573W national study of the influence of environmental factors on the development of respiratory diseases in children. In addition his unit is studying acute lower respiratory diseases in the first year of life and such things as respiratory symptoms and smoking habits in primary and secondary school children. The cost of these projects is contained within the unit's overall funding from my Department which will be in the order of £206,000 for 1978–79.
Professor John Colley of Bristol University is currently studying the relationship between obesity and respiratory illness in childhood at a cost of approximately £21,400.
I will circulate in the Official Report as soon as possible information on any research of this nature being carried out by the Medical Research Council for
ENGLAND AND WALES Rates per 1,000 live births 1st 2nd 3rd Age All Causes Perinatal causes Congenital anomalites Respiratory diseases Under 1 year … … … 14.2 6.3 3.5 1.8 Rates per million population 1st 2nd 3rd Age All Causes Accidents Congenital anomalies Respiratory diseases 1–4 years … … … 552 135 101 97 Rates per million population 1st 2nd 3rd Age All Causes Accidents Cancer Congenital anomalies 5–14 years … … … 276 90 57 32 These figures have been published in OPCS Monitor Reference DH2 77/3.