§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research projects into the causes of autism have been supported by the Government since 1997. [32420]
§ Jacqui SmithDetails of research projects on autism can be found on the National Research Register (NRR) at www.doh.gov.uldresearch.nrr.htm. The NRR includes information on research commissioned through the1046W national and regional programmes of national health service research and development and the Department's Policy Research Programme, as well as work supported by NHS Support for Science funding that has been commissioned by the Medical Research Council (MRS) and others. The NRR shows that there are currently 58 on-going and 109 completed projects on autism.
The MRC (which is largely funded by Government) published a detailed review of the epidemiology and causes of autism on 13 December 2001. The report, commissioned by the Department in March 2001, provides a clear, authoritative picture of what scientific research has revealed about the occurrence and causes of autism spectrum disorders. The report encourages the research community to develop high quality research proposals that address the key issues identified in the report.
We are discussing with the MRC the implications of their report for their research programme.