§ Mr. LevittTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research into retinitis pigmentosa(a) is being and (b) has been recently funded by the Government. [144932]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Medical Research Council (MRC) which receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry is currently funding two research projects into retinitis pigmentosa, at a cost of £494,000. In 1999–2000 MRC spent an estimated £4.10 million on projects relating to vision. The MRC also funds broader research programmes into genetics, an estimated £57 million in 1999–2000, which is of relevance to retinitis pigmentosa and many other diseases.