Written question asked by Mohammad Sarwar (Labour) on Friday, 19 February 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 23 February 2010. It was answered by David Lammy (Labour) on Thursday, 25 February 2010 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Multiple Sclerosis: Research

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department has allocated funding for research to examine whether there is a causal relationship between chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency and multiple sclerosis.

Answer: The Medical Research Council (MRC) is one of the main agencies through which the Government support medical and clinical research. The MRC is an independent body which receives its grant-in-aid from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.The MRC spent £3.4 million on research into Multiple Sclerosis in 2008-09, but is not currently funding any research specifically into chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI).The MRC always welcomes high quality applications for support into any aspect of human health. The primary considerations in funding decisions are research excellence and importance to health; however, high quality proposals in areas of particular strategic importance may be given priority in competition for funds.The MRC provides opportunities for additional clinical research training fellowships through collaborations with Royal Colleges and Charity flinders including the MRC/Multiple Sclerosis Society Clinical Research Training Fellowships. One fellowship per year is available under this scheme, aimed at researchers who are involved in treating patients and who wish to pursue research into understanding and treatment of multiple sclerosis.Details of MRC's currently funded research can be found in the MRC research portfolio which is accessible on the MRC website at:"http://www.mrc.ac.uk/ResearchPortfolio/index.htm"

Secondary information