§ 11. Mr. Abseasked the Secretary of State for Wales if, in view of the high incidence of spina bifida in Wales, he will draw to the attention of the medical profession and expectant mothers the tests carried out by Dr. Smithell at the Welsh national school of medicine establishing that the taking of an appropritate vitamin cocktail can prevent many cases of spina bifida.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsInitial results of the research are encouraging. Further careful research is necessary to demonstrate the benefit of this form of vitamin supplementation before it can be recommended as a standard part of antenatal care.
§ Mr. AbseSince it could not possibly do any harm, and since the giving of advice on the matter could do much good in minimising the tragedies in Glamorgan and Gwent, is that not a tardy reply? Surely if, as is believed, there is possibility of relieving the incidence of spina bifida in Wales, it should be the duty of the Secretary of State to make sure that the full facts are brought to the attention of the medical profession and expectant mothers?
§ Mr. RobertsMulti-vitamin preparations are already available on prescription, should the patient's doctor consider them desirable. However, further to that, the Medical Research Council will start a multi-centre study in the autumn, including the professorial unit of obstetrics at the Welsh national school of medicine. The Government are aware of the potential value of that treatment and we shall do everything in our powers to promote it.