To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will commission research into the underlying biomedical cause of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome; and if he will make a statement. (170254)

I have been asked to reply.

The Department for Innovation, University and Skills does not commission medical research. The Medical Research Council (MRC) is one of the main agencies through which the Government support medical and clinical research. Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a strategic priority area for the MRC and the council is continuing to promote research in this area.