§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision has been made in the current financial year and each of the last four financial years for research into myalgic encephalomyelitis; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is 607W the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The MRC has been funding a study at the Institute of Psychiatry for four years where researchers are attempting to find ways to help myalgic encephalomyelitis sufferers cope with their disease and regain their health. The estimated cost of this project is £91,000. The Department and the MRC are always willing to receive and consider soundly-based research proposals in competition with other applications. The Department also keeps in touch with research being funded by bodies such as the Linbury Trust.
§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current assessment of the number of people in England suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis; and how that figure is obtained.
§ Mr. SackvilleWe are currently awaiting an evaluation of data from existing studies which is being undertaken by the myalgic encephalomyelitis task force with funding from the Department. A draft report is being prepared for discussion in early 1994.