§ Mr. SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total sum spent nationally on research into Alzheimer's disease during 1986–87 and 1987–88 and projected for 1988–89.
§ Mrs. RumboldI have been asked to reply.
The main agency through which the Government support medical research in the United Kingdom is the Medical Research Council (MRC) which receives a grant-in-aid from this Department.
I understand that in 1986–87, the last financial year for which figures are available, the Medical Research Council spent in the region of £3 million in its own establishments and through grants to universities on research related to Alzheimer's disease. Expenditure in 1987–88 and 1988–89 is likely to be at about the same level. Some expenditure is also incurred by universities from general funds.
Expenditure on research into Alzheimer's disease, funded directly and indirectly by the Health Departments for 1986–87, is about £70,000.