§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) who conducted the study referred to in the last sentence of paragraph 99 of Command Paper No. 7047 "Prevention and Health"; when the report was published; what action he is taking as a result of its findings; and if he will make a statement;
805W(2) why the title, date and author of the study referred to in the last sentence of paragraph 99 of Command Paper No. 7047 "Prevention and Health" were omitted from the text; and if he will make it his practice to include full references to all studies and reports mentioned in future White Papers and other documents issued by his Department.
§ Mr. MoyleThe study in question was undertaken by Stewart, Turcan, Rawlings and Reynolds and was published in 1977 under the title "Prognosis for infants weighing 1,000g. or less at birth" in "Archives of Disease in Childhood", Vol. 52, pages 97–104. It forms part of a programme of research into the problems of low birth-weight and sick new-born babies which my Department is supporting at University College Hospital.
This research confirms the value of intensive neonatal care in the reduction of mortality and handicap in very small babies. The importance of providing such care is accepted by my Department and is fully recognised in the documents referred to in paragraphs 98 and 99 of the White Paper on "Prevention and Health" (Cmnd. 7047).
It is standard practice to list relevant studies and reports in White Papers and departmental publications. The White Paper on "Prevention and Health" is no exception, and contains a list of 44 detailed references. Regrettably, this particular item was inadvertently omitted.