§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when his Department first became aware of the dangers of giving aspirin to children under 12 years of age in the context of Reye's syndrome; what consultation was under-taken with the relevant authorities in the United States of America on these dangers; and what specific research was commissioned in the United Kingdom on this matter.
§ Mr. HayhoeI refer the hon. Member to my replies to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 13 June at columns336-67. In addition, written and oral inquiries and other contacts were made between members of the professional secretariat of the Committee on Safety of Medicines and officials of the United States Food and Drugs Administration on issues arising from the American experience of Reye's syndrome and aspirin.
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§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the Committee on Safety of Medicines at any time suggested to him or his officials, that the age below which aspirin should not be given because of the risk of Reye's syndrome, should be 16 years.
§ Mr. HayhoeI shall let the right hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.