§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been invested in research into Marfan syndrome since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [48845]
§ Ms BlearsThe main Government agency for research into the causes of and treatments for disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC) which receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry. The MRC's total spend on Marfan syndrome since 1997 is approximately £3.5 million.
The Department funds research to support policy and the delivery of effective practice in health and social care. The Department also provides national health service support funding for research commissioned by the research councils and charities that takes place in the NHS. Management of much of the research supported by national health service research and development funding is devolved and expenditure at project level is not held centrally by the Department.
Details of ongoing and recently completed research projects funded by, or of interest to, the NHS are available on the National Research Register (NRR) at www.doh.gov.uk/ research/nrr.htm. The NRR projects database show that there are currently two ongoing and 23 completed research projects related to Marfan syndrome.