Written question asked by Lord Lansley (Conservative) on Tuesday, 17 May 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 May 2005. It was answered by Alan Johnson (Labour) on Monday, 13 June 2005 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding the Medical Research Council has made available in each year since 1997 for research into complex regional pain syndrome.

Answer: The MRC has not directly funded any research into complex regional pain syndrome in the period since 1997. However, in 2002–03, the Council spent £1.4 million on research into pain and pain management, which may lead to further understanding of the mechanisms involved.Government do not prescribe to individual research councils what research they fund. Research excellence and importance to health are the primary considerations in MRC's funding decisions. Research proposals received by MRC undergo full peer review and assessment by one of the MRC's research boards.

Secondary information