§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that health authorities and local authorities are enabled to respond quickly to the community care needs of people with motor neurone disease.
§ Mr. DorrellIn November 1988, the Department issued guidance to health and local authorities which drew attention to the particular needs of people with progressive neurological conditions including motor neurone disease. The provisions of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 and the associated policy guidance are designed to ensure collaboration between authorities in drawing up community care plans and in assessing needs for community care on an individual basis.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research his Department has carried out into the incidence of motor neurone disease(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in other developed countries;
(2) how much his Department spends annually on research into the causes of motor neurone disease;
(3) what research his Department has carried out or commissioned into the causes of motor neurone disease.
§ Mr. DorrellThe Department has not carried out or commissioned research into the causes or the incidence of motor neurone disease. The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant in aid from the Department of Education and Science.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's estimate of the number of people who have motor neurone disease.
§ Mr. DorrellInformation on the prevalence of motor neurone disease is not collected centrally.