§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what specialist facilities are available to people with multiple sclerosis for group therapy; where they are situated; what action he is taking to develop such facilities; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what specialist facilities are available to people with multiple sclerosis for nutritional advice; where they are situated; what action he is taking to develop such facilities; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what specialist facilities are available to people with multiple sclerosis for hyperbaric oxygen therapy; where they are situated; what action he is taking to develop such facilities; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what specialist facilities are available to people with multiple sclerosis for telephone counselling by trained 676W counsellors who have personal experience of the disease; where they are situated; what action he is taking to develop such facilities; and if he will make a statement;
(5) what specialist facilities are available to people with multiple sclerosis for neuro pysiotherapy; where they are situated; and what action he is taking to develop such facilities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayDetails of local provision for conditions of this kind are not held centrally, but within their overall assessment of resources and priorities health boards endeavour to provide and develop the range of specialist facilities for the treatment of multiple sclerosis which the hospital consultants concerned consider appropriate. Clinical trials are in progress to evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Counselling by persons who have directly experienced multiple sclerosis is normally available only through voluntary organisations such as the Multiple Sclerosis Society.