§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been achieved in instituting a national screening programme to detect congenital hypothyroidism in new-born babies.
§ Sir George YoungEarlier this year the standing medical advisory committee warmly welcomed a report by the joint standing sub-committee on screening in medical care which set out the evidence in support of screening for congenital hypothyroidism and concluded that there was a clear need to introduce screening at the earliest opportunity. The Department is currently considering how a national screening programme might best be organised and my right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement soon.