§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what resources have been allocated to research into the(a) causes, (b) symptoms, (c) detection and (d) treatments of tinnitus in each of the last five years. [2864]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department funds research to support policy and the delivery of effective practice in the national health service. The Department also provides NHS support funding for research commissioned by the Medical Research Council and charities that takes place in the NHS. The Department has provided or is providing such funding for five ongoing projects relating to tinnitus and 21 completed projects. Details of these projects can be found on the National Research Register which is available in the Library on CD Rom, or via the internet at www.doh.gov.uk/research/nrr/htm.
The main Government agency for research into the causes of and treatments for diseases is the MRC which receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry. The MRC spent £755,000 specifically on tinnitus research in 1996–97 and £875,000 in 1997–98. In 1998–99 the MRC spent £3.49 million on hearing research in general and £3.34 million in 1999–2000, some of which would be relevant to tinnitus.