§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research has been undertaken into "brittle-hip" among elderly people, especially women; what findings have been made; and whether she will make a statement.
§ Dr. OwenI am advised that research has shown a major cause of fracture of the hip in the elderly to be a brittle condition arising from decalcification of the substance of the bone, leading to a tendency to fracture which is not present in younger people. My Department and other bodies are continuing to support research into the fundamental problems of bone metabolism and other factors, such as nutrition, which have a bearing on this problem.