HL Deb 25 March 1993 vol 544 cc434-5

3.30 p.m.

Lord Ashley of Stoke asked Her Majesty's Government:

What further steps they are taking to discover why some children are born without eyes; and what action they are taking to help such children.

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, in view of the incompleteness of the data, we have asked the head of the Environmental Epidemiology Unit at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Dr Paul Elliott, to submit a research proposal for an epidemiological study of anophthalmia. A wide range of statutory services is available to all visually impaired children: health, social services and education. A number of voluntary organisations provide further support and assistance.

Lord Ashley of Stoke

My Lords, perhaps I may first pay tribute to the noble Baroness for the sensitive way in which she received a deputation of mothers recently and for the action she has taken since. Does she agree that it is terrible for children to be born with no eyes and that their mothers are even more upset when they are told, as some have been, that it is just one of those things? Does the noble Baroness agree that, where clusters of such cases are found, local hazards should be identified and removed? Does she further agree that we should scrutinise far more carefully the reasons for those episodes and tighten procedures? It is inexplicable that there is no legal obligation to report the accidental misuse of pesticides. Can the Government take action on that issue?

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, so far, on the basis of the available data, there is absolutely no evidence either of clustering of cases of anophthalmia or of any link between the increased incidence of the condition and the pesticide Benomyl. However, I am anxious that we get to the bottom of the condition and try to research it in even more depth. That is why we have specifically asked for a research project to be put forward.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware of any international organisations that may be dealing with the matter so that we could co-operate and perhaps gain more information in order ultimately to resolve this appalling problem?

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, we have explored the condition with the World Health Organisation, but it has no projects or research planned. As far as I know, other countries are not as concerned about the matter as this country.

Lord Carter

My Lords, can the Minister tell the House what is the policy of the NHS regarding the provision of artificial eyes for children born with this very distressing condition? Are they automatically provided if the parents ask for them?

Baroness Cumberlege

Yes, my Lords, they are, and they are free.

Forward to