§ 22. Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent discussions he has had with the Medical Research Council.
§ Mr. BrookeMy right hon. Friend met the chairman and the secretary of the council on 23 July. They discussed the council's financial position.
§ 33. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if the Medical Research Council has now formulated budgets for all its units for 1984–85.
§ Mr. BrookeI understand that the Medical Research Council has now formulated budgets for all its units for 1984–85. In the case of one unit (the brain metabolism unit), however, the council has yet to consider the report of a sub-committee which has recently carried out a further review of the unit's needs.
§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much grant-in-aid the Medical Research Council has received from his Department each 908W year since 1979; how much has been spent each year on research studies of epilepsy; and how much will be spent in the forthcoming year.
§ Mr. BrookeThe information is as follows:
Financial year Grant-in-aid to Medical Research Council Medical Research Council's expenditure on research into epilepsy £ million £ 1979–80 57.3 * 1980–81 72.7 * 1981–82 101.7 269,850 1982–83 107.5 331,110 1983–84 113.7 354,948 1984–85 117.2 † * Not available. † Not yet available.
§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how long the Medical Research Council has been carrying out its trial study on the efficiency of four major anti-convulsant drugs; what state of development the study has reached; how the decision to withdraw financial support from research projects into epilepsy will affect these trials and other research; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeI understand from the Medical Research Council (MRC) that a study of the comparative efficiency of four major anti-convulsant drugs, supported by means of a five-year programme grant, began in July 1979 and that so far 165 adults and 109 children have been recruited to the trial; these numbers are in line with expectations. Although the MRC's support for the study is due to end on 31 December 1984, I understand that private sector funds have been secured to enable the study to continue after that date. The MRC continues to support a considerable number of basic research projects into epilepsy including a major trial on withdrawal of anti-epileptic drugs.