To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the prescription of beta interferon; [39926](2) what representation his Department has received of guidelines EL(95)97 being disregarded. [39925]

Executive letter (95)97 issued to health authorities in November 1995 suggested that, where it is clinically appropriate to prescribe beta interferon to treat multiple sclerosis, treatment should be initiated after assessment by hospital neurologists. The guidance was accompanied by clinical advice from the Standing Medical Advisory Committee. Decisions about prescribing in individual cases are a matter for clinical judgment.The Department has received some representations about the implementation of EL(95)97. Where appropriate, such representations are followed up with the authorities concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding he has made available for a national trial of beta interferon. [39927]

A final decision on funding will be taken once a satisfactory protocol addressing the concerns on outcome measures has been developed.