§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what specific studies he has made of the effects of drugs on the foetus when ingested by pregnant women; what were the results of these studies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. Vaughan[pursuant to his reply, 26 March 1980, c. 607]: The Department and the office of Population Censuses and Surveys started a survey into maternal drug histories and congenital abnormalities in 1973. Results published in 1977 found no proof of a causal connection between 11 groups of drugs and congenital abnormalities. The survey is continuing and the data will be analysed from time to time. Research in this area is also being undertaken under the auspices of the Medical Research Council with funds provided by this Department.