asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the annual expenditure in total and per head of population on research into mental illness in the United Kingdom ; and what are the comparable figures in other EEC countries and in the United States of America, in so far as they are available from international sources.

I have been asked to reply.In 1972–73 the Medical Research Council's expenditure on research into all forms of mental illness was £2·263 million which represents about 4p per head of the population. Further research supported by public funds is carried out under the auspices of the Health Departments, hospital boards, universities and medical schools but its overall cost is not readily identifiable. Useful support is also provided by several voluntary agencies. The information sought in the second part of the Question is not available.