Written question asked by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Friday, 28 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 14 March 2003. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Friday, 14 March 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on his plans to increase the funding spent on research into (a) the treatment and (b) the causes of muscular dystrophy; and if he will make a statement; what estimate he has made of the amount of Government funding in 2002-03 for research into (a) the treatment and (b) the causes of muscular dystrophy; and if he will make a statement. - Including figures.

Answer: Mr Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on his plans to increase the funding spent on research into (a) the treatment and (b) the causes of muscular dystrophy; and if he will make a statement; [100968] (2) what estimate he has made of the amount of Government funding in 2002-03 for research into (a) the treatment and (b) the causes of muscular dystrophy; and if he will make a statement. [100966] Jacqui Smith: The main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body, which receives its grant-in-aid from the Office of Science and Technology. In 2001-02, the MRC spent an estimated 2 million on muscular dystrophy research. This was an increase on the estimated £1.1 million spent in 2000-01. Figures for 2002-03 are not yet available.

Secondary information