HL Deb 10 February 1993 vol 542 cc637-8

2.53 p.m.

Lord Ashley of Stoke asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will commission independent research into the cause of some children being born with no eyes, with particular attention to the possible effects of pesticides, dioxins and viral infections.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)

My Lords, this tragic condition has been studied for many years without any clear indication as regards its cause. However, it is recognised that it may be genetically determined. I have asked for all the available data to be reviewed by the department's external independent expert advisers. We shall commission any research that they recommend.

Lord Ashley of Stoke

My Lords, I am sure the noble Baroness will do all she can to assist in this matter of children who are born without eyes. However, I am equally sure that an independent inquiry is far preferable to an inquiry conducted by a government department which is responsible for licensing pesticides, especially as the Ministry of Agriculture has been less forceful in restricting pesticides than agriculture ministries in some other countries. Pesticides are a possible source of the problem we are discussing. Will the noble Baroness try to ensure that the Government establish an independent inquiry to examine the statistics and to investigate any possible cluster effect? Where cluster effects are found, clearly the local hazards must be identified. Will the Government also make a special effort to help the children affected by this condition and their families?

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, it is very much my intention to help the children affected by this condition and their families. At this stage, however, the Government would be reluctant to institute an independent inquiry. We would prefer to use our external independent expert advisers who have the specific task of reviewing these kind of incidents. I believe that is a quicker way of tackling the problem. Our advisers can obtain information more readily and we can then take action.

Lord Desai

My Lords, the noble Baroness said this defect may be due to a genetic condition, but is she aware that another condition known as optic nerve hypoplasia, which is not a genetic condition, may also be a cause of the defect? I urge the noble Baroness to follow my noble friend's suggestion and establish an independent and unprejudiced inquiry into this. This is a very serious matter.

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, there is an on-going research agenda. The director of research and development at the department ensures that issues of the day that need investigation are investigated. In the current year we are spending £20.22 million on research and development. That is just within the department. In addition, a great deal of research is being carried out within the NHS and among non-departmental public bodies.

Lord Auckland

My Lords, bearing in mind that this is probably a condition that occurs worldwide and is one of distressing proportions, can my noble friend say whether the World Health Organisation is doing anything in this field?

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, I am afraid I cannot give my noble friend any information on that point at the moment. I am not sure what research programmes the World Health Organisation is carrying out. However, I shall certainly bear his views in mind. If we can learn anything from other countries we should do so.