§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider publishing a White Paper on the problems of rheumatism and arthritis and how best these might be tackled by research work and medical and social services, now that World Rheumatism Year has ended.
§ Mr. MoyleI am fully aware of the importance of continuing efforts to help relieve the pain and physical impairment of the many sufferers from rheumatic conditions, but I do not believe a White Paper would contribute to progress at present. Research into causation and into aspects of treatment is of great importance. The Medical Research Council is the Government's main agency for biomedical research and finances most of the research in the rheumatism field from its grant-in-aid from the Department of Education and Science with some support from my department. The Council is regularly kept informed of my Department's research interests and 57W priorities. The improvement of rehabilitation and remedial services as a whole is firmly recommended as a priority in the guidance which we have issued to health authorities on the future development of their services. The extent of the improvement which can be made in any area will depend on competing priority claims on the resources available.