§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of CJD have been identified in the United Kingdom in each of the past five years analysed by the age group of the sufferer; and if he will indicate in each case his Department's assessment of whether a genetic component contributed to the condition. [28591]
§ Mr. HoramI refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave the hon. member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 1 April at column46. The national Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease surveillance unit carries out genetic investigations 418W on cases of CJD referred to it. Approximately 10 per cent. of cases occur in clusters in families with an inherited genetic disposition.