Written question asked by Eddie McGrady (Social Democratic & Labour Party) on Wednesday, 15 June 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 June 2005. It was answered by Shaun Woodward (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 June 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Myalgic Enephalomyelitis

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide funding for biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Answer: Research into diseases like myalgic encephalomyelitis needs to be undertaken in specialised centres of excellence and co-ordinated at the national level. The R and D strategy for the health and personal social services, in common with other NHS R and D strategies, do not generally allocate funds for this type of research, but funding for research into myalgic encephalomyelitis has been made available from sources such as the Medical Research Council.

Secondary information