§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what level of priority is given to rheumatoid arthritis under EU Framework Programme 6; [125261]
(2) if he will list the funding areas for medical research under EU Framework Programme 6, and those proposed for Framework Programme 7; [125262]
(3) what levels of funding are allocated for research into (a) autoimmune diseases and (b) rheumatoid arthritis under EU Framework Programme 6; and what sums are expected under Framework Programme 7; [125263]
(4) if he will make it his policy to press for (a) autoimmune disease to be a specific funding area under EU Framework Programme 7, and (b) rheumatoid arthritis to be included as one of the key autoimmune disease. [125264]
§ Dr. LadymanThe broad priority areas for medical research funded under Framework Programme 6 are described in Specific Programme 1: "Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area" (2002–06).
641WThis document is available on the website of the Community Research & Development Information Service at www.cordis.lu. Also available are the work programmes for the first two calls for proposals issued under Thematic Priority 1 (Life Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology for Health) within Specific Programme 1. Chronic inflammation and autoimmunity are identified as important areas in these work programmes and a number of related topics are listed. The budgets allocated to each work programme are not broken down to the level of individual topics.
The European Commission is not expected to announce its proposals for Framework Programme 7 (FP7) until 2005. The Government plans to carry out a public consultation on the United Kingdom policy lines for FP7 by early 2004. The Department of Health will seek to ensure that the content of FP7 reflects the research priorities and clinical needs of the UK.