§ 77. Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research is being sponsored by her Department into the causes and prevention of hypothermia.
§ Mr. MeacherMy Department has sponsored a pilot study designed to develop methods to assess the significance of low body temperature for the outcome of illness in old people admitted to hospital and the significance of personal and environmental factors and of pre-existing disease in the development of low body temperature. The report on this work is being studied. Research on the Physiological control of body temperature and the significance of physiological factors and thermoregulatory malfunctioning in the development of hypothermia in old people is being undertaken by the Medical Research Council from its grant-in-aid from the Department of Education and Science and from funds provided by my Department.