§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will consider inviting representations preparatory to the Government's proposed White Paper on perinatal and neonatal mortality which he will be presenting to Parliament in the autumn;
(2)if a time limit has been set for receiving representations for the Government's proposed White Paper on perinatal and neonatal mortality; and, if so, what is the time limit;
(3)if he will consider a rapidly phased implementation of those recommendations in the Social Services Committee's report on perinatal and neonatal mortality which could be introduced at nil cost; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanI have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member on 4 August. [Vol. 990, c.54–55.]
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take 521W steps to implement immediately all the newest accepted techniques for reducing perinatal and neonatal mortality.
§ Dr. VaughanThe implementation of new techniques in obstetric and neonatal care is a matter for the professional staff involved, whose responsibility it is to decide which methods are appropriate to individual patients under their care.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research is currently in hand aimed at reducing the perinatal and neonatal mortality rates; and if he will continue to fund these research projects and any new vital projects which come to light.
§ Dr. VaughanA list of research studies currently being funded by Department which are concerned directly or indirectly with reducing perinatal and neonatal mortality rates is given below. Support for these studies will continue until they are completed and the research liaison groups concerned are prepared to consider any new proposals for research which relate to topics identified as being of particular importance in this field.
The Medical Research Council also provides support for a wide range of research directly concerned with many of the factors contributing to perinatal and neonatal mortality. This includes a broad programme of basic research into reproductive processes in animals which, along with laboratory studies designed to increase understanding of reproductive biology, is likely in the longer term to make a practical contribution to the solution of human problems in this area.
The Council's efforts, which have always been considerable, have been intensified in recent years. One of the major centres of research activity is the division of perinatal medicine at the clinical research centre but there are several divisions at the centre as well as a number of other MRC research units which currently have projects in progress. In addition, there are numerous scientists supported by MRC grants in university departments, hospitals and other institutes throughout the country whose work has a bearing on aspects of perinatal and neonatal care.
Decisions as to how the Council's funds are apportioned among its many areas 522W of research are taken by the Council itself.
I am advised that there is every intention of sustaining the present level of support for this research as far as possible and that the Council is always ready to entertain proposals for promising new projects that are soundly based.