asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what factors he takes into account when deciding whether to provide funding for meningitis research; what plans he has to increase the number of different studies of meningitis for which he provides funds; and if he will make a statement;(2) what initiatives he has taken to raise the level of public awareness of the symptoms of meningitis;(3) what steps he takes to ensure that all cases of meningitis are reported to the communicable disease surveillance centre.

I shall let the hon. Member have replies as soon as possible.