§ Dr. Vaughanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the results of his inquiry into the control of mortuaries and the sale of human tissue.
§ Mr. MoyleAs my right hon. Friend explained to the hon. Gentleman in his letter of 24th September 1976, it was apparent that aspects of the Human Tissue Act 1961 were not being fully observed, when tissue was being removed during post-mortem examinations for subsequent therapeutic or research use. This was particularly so with the Act's requirement that each case of organ or tissue removal for the purposes set out in section 1 of the Act should be authorised by the person lawfully in possession 117W of the body. A circular to health authorities, to complement guidance issued on the Human Tissue Act in June 1975, was prepared and sent to authorities for consultation in December 1976 and to professional and other bodies in January. Consultation, when guidance of a formal and lasting nature is proposed, must be thorough and allow time for comments, but is now complete and the circular is being prepared for issue.