§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of Government-sponsored research is devoted to analysis of multiple sclerosis distribution; and whether he is able to break down any figures available to show distribution between families, sexes, generations, races and latitudes.
§ Sir George Young[pursuant to his reply, 23 March 1981 c. 239]: I understand from my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science that the Medical Research Council, the main Government-funded body supporting research in this field, has reported that there have been extensive studies of the distibution of multiple sclerosis in many countries. The results are available in medical literature. Information has also been obtained on familial associations, sex ratios and genetic aspects of the disease. The detailed knowledge which has emerged from these studies has, however, made very little contribution to understanding the causes of multiple sclerosis and has had no impact on its treatment.
At present there is a lack of plausible hypotheses which could be investigated further in epidemiological studies and there is little current research being undertaken. However, the multiple sclerosis co-ordinating group of the Medical Research Council keeps studies in this field under active review and is ready to respond if significant new research opportunities present themselves.