§ Mr Vernon CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on his plans to increase the funding spent on research into(a) the treatment and (b) the causes of muscular dystrophy; and if he will make a statement; [100968]
(2) what estimate he has made of the amount of Government funding in 2002–03 for research into (a) the treatment and (b) the causes of muscular dystrophy; and if he will make a statement. [100966]
§ Jacqui SmithThe main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body, which receives its grant-in-aid from the Office of Science and Technology. In 2001–02, the MRC spent an estimated 2 million on muscular dystrophy research. This was an increase on the estimated £1.1 million spent in 2000–01. Figures for 2002–03 are not yet available.