§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that all pregnant women are aware of the risk of foetal alcohol syndrome; and what statistics are available showing the effect of foetal alcohol syndrome on the foetus and on surviving children;
(2) how many children with foetal alcohol syndrome have been identified in England and Wales in the most recent period for which figures are available.
§ Mr. John PattenThe United Kingdom health departments have issued advice in publications in the prevention and health series "Reducing the Risks" and "Drinking Sensibly", the second of which stated
it is clearly important that mothers-to-be should be moderate in their use of alcohol on general health grounds".The Health Education Council also issues advice for pregnant women.National statistics on the foetal alcohol syndrome are not kept.