HC Deb 18 April 1990 vol 170 cc1417-9
22. Mr. McFall

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he first became aware of Dr. Barry Richardson's research into cot deaths; and what action he then took to alert the public.

Mr. Forth

The Department of Health wrote to my Department about Dr. Barry Richardson's research on 7 June 1989. A copy of Dr. Richardson's report dated June 1989 was received on 12 June. As a direct result the laboratory of the Government chemist was asked to undertake a scientific assessment of this research work.

In a written reply on 9 March, my hon. Friend the Minister for Health stated that a group of independent experts had been asked to investigate further claims by Dr. Richardson about emission of toxic gases from soiled mattresses, taking account of the assessment still being carried out by the laboratory of the Government chemist.

I shall await the findings of the expert working group to see if there are any implications for the use of fire resistant treatments in the manufacture of nursery furniture.

Mr. McFall

The Minister will know that the independent scientist, Barry Richardson, to whom he referred, tested 45 mattresses on which babies had died. All the mattresses were fireproofed and gave off potentially lethal doses of poisonous gases. In the light of that, why did the Minister force through legislation on fire retardent material without conducting tests? Why was no warning given to parents of the risk, however small? Is that not an indication of the Government's laxity with regard to such measures?

Mr. Forth

One of the problems in relation to this difficult subject is shown by the fact that one of the hon. Gentleman's parliamentary colleagues came to argue exactly the opposite case with me when I had to make that difficult decision. On the basis of the information known to us then, we maintained our views about fire resistance for nursery furniture. I am awaiting the findings of the work being carried out both by the laboratory of the Government chemist and by the expert working group set up precisely to examine Dr. Richardson's claims.

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will accept that it would be wrong of the Government to determine their policy on the basis of one person's findings, no matter how skilled or expert that person may be or how strongly he holds his views. Suffice it to say that both my Department and the Department of Health are looking into the matter carefully and responsibly, but with as much speed as possible and based on their findings we shall decide whether policy should be changed.

Sir Dudley Smith

I appreciate the problems, but is my hon. Friend aware that this man's evidence is very convincing and has been brought to my attention by constituents who are involved in the trade? In those circumstances, will my hon. Friend do everything to hurry up the research because, as he well knows, young lives are at stake every day?

Mr. Forth

My hon. Friend has made repeated representations to me on behalf of his constituent who shares the concern expressed by Dr. Richardson. I hope that he will accept that at this stage it would be best for all of us to wait until we have the findings of the laboratory of the Government chemist and of the expert working group that we have set up. Then we shall determine whether policy shall be changed. As a result of my hon. Friend's representations and others that I have received, we are more than prepared to change policy in this matter if it is determined that we should do so on the basis of the evidence of the further work that is being done. I assure my hon. Friend that we shall not allow that work to be unduly delayed.

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

Is the Minister aware that there is almost no remaining doubt that there is an association, found by Dr. Richardson and his team, between cot death syndrome and the gases produced by the fungal infection of mattresses? Why has he delayed an investigation into the findings for two years? The chief medical officer put out a press statement on 9 March stating that he had been advised that no case of cot death in this country had been reported due to these gases". Why did not the chief medical officer seek such information? That is why the information was not provided. Moreover, the expert working party has met only once. This is not urgency—it is complacency.

Mr. Forth

I wish in some ways that I could share the hon. Gentleman's certainty. Faced with these difficult policy choices and with serious matters which cause great concern to many people, I believe that we are taking a responsible and measured view and responding in that way.

Dr. Richardson met the chief medical officer at the Department of Health, so there was no lack of a hearing for him on these matters. I can only repeat that I believe that the way in which we have responded to these submissions by an individual, however expert and concerned he may be, is the right way and that we cannot determine Government policy in these important areas on the basis of the views of one person, no matter how important he may be.

Mr. Speaker

I call Mr. Watson. Question 23.

Mr. Favell

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. It arises out of the last question—

Mr. Speaker

If it does, it cannot be a point of order.

Mr. Favell

Mr. Speaker, I wish to draw your attention to the fact that the reason why so many Opposition Members have not turned up to ask their questions—

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order for me. I call Mr. Watson.

Mr. Favell

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I call Mr. Watson. [HON. MEMBERS: "Not here."] Mr. Frank Field. [HON. MEMBERS: "Not here."] Mr. Tony Lloyd. [HON. MEMBERS: "Not here."] Mr. Home Robertson. [HON. MEMBERS: "Not here."] Mr. Ronnie Campbell. [HON. MEMBERS: "Not here."] Mr. Rowlands. [HON. MEMBERS: "Not here."]

Mr. Favell

I wish to draw to your attention, Mr. Speaker, the fact that questions have been asked by Opposition Members according to their surnames. If the name is McCartney or McFall, the Member is interested in cot deaths. If the name is Mahon or McKay—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman knows that that is not a matter for me. It is a point that he is consciously making across the Chamber. I call Mr. Snape. [HON. MEMBERS: "Not here."] Mr. Fisher. [HON. MEMBERS: "Not here."] Mr. Eadie. [HON. MEMBERS: "Not here. "]