§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has any evidence indicating the extent to which lead pollution may be a contributory factor in the birth of still-born and malformed babies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI am aware of a study carried out in two areas of North-East England in 1981. This showed no evidence of an increased risk of still birth due to lead, and in the area with the higher incidence of malformations the blood lead levels of pregnant women were lower than those in the other area.