Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 13 May 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 26 May 1999. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 May 1999 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his policy to commission research into the causes of ME and the development of appropriate diagnostic procedure. - (Holding answer 18 May 1999).

Answer: Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to commission research into the causes of ME and the development of appropriate diagnostic procedure. [84574] Mr. Hutton: [holding answer 18 May 1999]: The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Working Group which has been convened by the Chief Medical Officer will specifically address the question of diagnostic criteria and will also make recommendations about the need to identify and commission further research into CFS/ME. The working group is already putting together a submission for a systematic literature review which will look at which treatments are effective and sub-groups. This will be considered by the Department's Policy Research Programme.

Secondary information