Written question asked by Andrew Pelling (Conservative) on Thursday, 27 October 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 31 October 2005. It was answered by Anne McGuire (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 December 2005 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Disability Handbook

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether medical representatives from patient organisations will be included in the panel re-writing the draft entry on chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis for the Disability Handbook.

Answer: As with the other new medical guidance for the Disability Handbook the draft chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalitis (CFS/ME) guidance was prepared in conjunction with medical experts. The guidance is evidence-based and represents our current understanding of this condition. Officials have met with groups representing people with CFS/ME on two occasions and sought their views. Many of their helpful comments have already been incorporated in the guidance and we are still considering comments made at the second meeting.

Secondary information