asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the prevalence of the illness known as Tourettes syndrome; and what research is being carried out to diagnose the sickness.

I have no information on the exact revelence of Tourette's syndrome, but it is very rare: over the world only about 100 cases have ever been described. I am not aware of any research specific to the syndrome, but the Medical Research Council supports a wide range of basic neurological studies, some of which could prove to be relevant.