§ 11. Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give additional support to reduce physical and mental handicap at birth.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe attach very considerable importance to the improvement of maternity and neonatal services to achieve further reductions in both baby deaths and handicaps. We do not earmark the growth money we 883 give to health authorities for specific purposes, but I am sure that authorities are well aware of the importance of maternal and neonatal services.
§ Mr. Carter-JonesIs the Minister aware that a handicapped child can cost society about £500,000 in its life? That, however, is not the real point. Is he aware that positive discrimination with expenditure in this area can reduce handicap and suffering for families and individuals concerned?
§ Mr. ClarkeI am familiar with that estimate. It comes from a Select Committee report. I am not sure how accurate it is. I agree that money is not the main point. We should try to reduce the amount of neonatal death and handicap birth in Britain. That is why we are giving such high priority to the subject. That is why we set up the Maternity Services Advisory Committee, which has just produced its first report. That is why we shall back up health authorities in an attempt to give the matter the right priority.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisIs the Minister aware that the Select Committee report showed that improved facilities for women before, during and immediately after childbirth could produce savings of £153 million in 10 years by reducing child handicap? Does he agree that it is self-defeating not to move faster on this?
§ Mr. ClarkeI am not sure that the report showed that, because the figures were, one might say, arguable. However, that is not the point. The Government do not need to be persuaded to give priority to maternal and neonatal services. That is why we are producing the draft minimum standards and that is why we have the Maternity Services Advisory Committee. Results are beginning to show, as there is now a very fast rate of reduction in neonatal death in this country, which I hope is matched by a corresponding fall in the number of births of handicapped children.
§ Mr. FreudWill the Minister consider urging greater honesty on the part of the National Health Service, such as would have prevented my constituents, Mr. and Mrs. Bushell, from having to wait four months to learn from a coroner's jury that the death of their baby was caused by medical neglect?
§ Mr. ClarkeThe whole House would urge honesty on the Health Service. The vexed matter of the investigation of complaints, and particularly of serious ones, is being considered at the moment. I shall look at the case cited by the hon. Gentleman and if there is serious cause for complaint I shall take it up.