HC Deb 01 December 1982 vol 33 c222W
Mr. Weetch

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide financial help towards pressure chamber facilities for experiments and tests in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Mr. Rossi

Experiments and tests of this kind would lie in the field of biomedical research, the Department's needs for which are met by the Medical Research Council, the main Government-funded body supporting biomedical research from its grant-in-aid under the Science Vote of the Department of Education and Science.

The health Departments have informed the Medical Research Council that multiple sclerosis is a priority area and a great deal of work is being undertaken. The detailed formulation of projects is a matter for the Council.

It is of course open to any suitably qualified researcher to submit an application to the Medical Research Council.

I am aware from press reports of the work being supported by Action for Research into Multiple Sclerosis (a voluntary body) and as I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) of 15 November—[Vol. 32, c. 61]—when their results are published they will be studied.

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