Mr. Edward Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the extent to which living pre-viable human foetuses can be used for experimental purposes; and what consideration he is giving to changing the law in this regard.
§ Sir K. JosephThe report of the Peel Advisory Group published last year included recommendations on the conditions under which whole pre-viable foetuses could be used for research and I am sending my hon. Friend an extract from the report. There have been wide-ranging consultations on the group's recommendations. I am considering the views expressed and intend to make a statement in due course.