To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been undertaken into alternative therapies as a means of reducing the cost of the National Health Service.

Medical practitioners may offer complementary therapies within the NHS if they feel competent to do so. The Department of Health has commissioned no research into the cost effectiveness of complementary therapies. However, the Medical Research Council, in conjunction with the British Chiropractic Association, are funding a study, at Northwick Park hospital into the treatment of back pain using chiropractic and orthodox techniques.