SPINAL INJURIES AND SPINAL RESEARCH

Early day motion 652, tabled 4 February 2003 by Sue Doughty (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 97 members.

That this House notes that more than 40,000 people in the UK are paralysed to some degree as a result of spinal cord injury and more than 700 new people each year are affected by spinal cord injury; recognises the fundamental and total change in the lives of people who suffer paralysis as a result of spinal cord injury and the importance of the work of spinal charities such as Spinal Research, the only charity researching spinal cord repair in the UK and a recognised world leader in this area; further notes that following substantial progress in the laboratory the work of Spinal Research is at a critical point where clinical trials in spinal cord repair could begin as early as 2005; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to acknowledge the improvements in the lifestyle of spinal injury victims and the education of dependency, with substantial savings in the Department of Health and the Department for Work and Pensions, that could be achieved by spinal cord repair, and to give consideration to the provision of direct funding for a development programme leading to clinical trials.

Signatures by party: Labour 40, Liberal Democrat 36, Conservative 7, Labour/Co-operative 3, Scottish National Party 3, UUP 3, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Independent 1.