Written question asked by Fraser Kemp (Labour) on Monday, 26 April 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 4 May 1999. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Tuesday, 4 May 1999 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what studies his Department has (i) commissioned and (ii) evaluated on sufferers from chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalitis, with particular reference to the proportion who eventually return to (a) full-time employment and (b) part-time employment.

Answer: Mr. Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies his Department has (i) commissioned and (ii) evaluated on sufferers from chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis, with particular reference to the proportion who eventually return to (a) full-time employment and (b) part-time employment. [82653] Mr. Hutton: We have not commissioned or evaluated any studies that specifically look at the proportion of people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis who eventually return to full-time or part-time employment. The main agency through which the Government support medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council. The Council is always willing to consider new ideas for research and will consider applications on their scientific merits. The CFS/ME Working Group which began meeting in January this year will also look at the need to identify and commission further research.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 82653; 330 c358W;330 c352W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: ME/CFS Employment Research Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Working Group Medical Research Council