§ 33. Mr. Edelmanasked the Minister of Health what were the numbers of abnormal births in 1960, 1961, and 1962, respectively; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PowellThis information is not available.
§ Mr. EdelmanIs it not a grave dereliction of duty on the part of the Minister that he did not take the lead in taking note of the steep rise in the number of abnormal births observed not only in this country but abroad? In those circumstances, does it not indicate that there are many obscure factors which should be cleared up in connection with the thalidomide tragedy? Will not the right hon. Gentleman therefore agree to set up a committee of inquiry, as requested by myself and a number of my hon. Friends, in order to probe this matter further and not to draw the veil over it?
§ Mr. PowellI have no reason to doubt that the medical profession is actively studying all the ramifications of this matter. But the hon. Member asked about the numbers of abnormal births in three years, and as there is not even a definition of what is meant by an abnormal birth—nor can there be—I cannot give him the figures in reply.
§ Mr. EdelmanIs not the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that a child born without arms or legs constitutes an abnormal birth? As these births have been observed widely all over the country, does it not seem now that some further inquiry should be made in order to try to ascertain the facts, as is done in 25 the case of a railway accident when, if one or two people lose an arm or a leg, a statutory inquiry is held?
§ Mr. PowellBut the figures to answer this Question, even if they could be obtained, would not help on the problem which the hon. Gentleman has in mind.