§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department carried out into hypertension intervention in high risk patients; what have been the findings; and if she will make a statement. [30002]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe available research is summarised in the "Health of the Nation" publications. "Assessing the Options: CHD and Stroke" and "Key Area Handbook: Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke" and the publication "Health Care Needs Assessment" which contain information on hypertension and which have been placed in the Library.
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 office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The MRC is an independent body deciding what research to support on its own expert judgment.