§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he is taking concerning the assessment and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe Welsh Office, in common with other Government health Departments, accepts myalgic encephalomyelitis—ME—as a debilitating and distressing condition.
The protocol for investment in health gain, pain, discomfort and palliative care, launched by the Department earlier this month, recognises ME as a cause of pain and discomfort, and acknowledges the need for research on the nature and pattern of this illness, and on possible treatments.
The protocol was developed by the Welsh Health Planning Forum mainly to assist health authorities in developing their local strategies for health. ME will, therefore, be considered by all health authorities as they devise individual strategies.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the incidence of myalgic encephalomyelitis in Wales.
§ Mr. Gwilyrn JonesInformation on the incidence of myalgic encephalomyelitis in Wales is not held centrally.