Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of increased investment in motor neurone disease research for other neurological conditions.

No specific assessment has been made. The Government makes funding available for research but does not generally ring-fence funds for particular disease areas. Research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality.