HC Deb 20 February 1984 vol 54 cc401-2W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now publish the locations of the 11 medical centres already approved to take part in the scientific trial by the Medical Research Council on the use of additional vitamins and folic acid taken before and during pregnancy.

Mr. Brooke

I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 23 January to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Castle Point (Sir B. Braine) at c.407.

Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the information that he has provided to medical practitioners who are expected to discuss with potential mothers what is involved in the latter participating in the Medical Research Council's trial of the effects of vitamin and folic acid supplements on foetal neural tube defects.

Mr. Brooke

I understand that technical information is provided for medical practitioners taking part in the Medical Research Council vitamin trial. It is not the practice of the council to publish such technical information. Each patient who may be interested in participating in the vitamin trial does have the trial explained to her in detail by her doctor and, in addition to this discussion, she is given a leaflet which outlines the main points of the trial, which she may take away to consider whilst deciding whether or not to take part.

Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek to cancel the Medical Research Council's study of the reduction of the incidence of foetal neural tube defects by the administering of vitamin and folic acid supplements during and before pregnancy.

Mr. Brooke

No. The reasons are explained in the reply given on 24 January by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security at c.548–49 to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Castle Point (Sir B. Braine)