§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the maternity centres in each of the nine health authorities in Wales where expectant mothers are screened for blood alpha foetoprotein levels and state the number of centres where facilities are available for measuring alpha foetoprotein levels in amniotic fluid and the number where facilities are available for the termination of abnormal pregancies revealed by the test.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsWales has a national service of screening for blood alpha foetoprotein levels. Blood samples may be taken in the many hospitals and general practitioner surgeries providing antenatal care. A full list of these is not held by the Welsh Office. Amniotic fluid samples may be taken at any antenatal clinic with access to ultra sound facilities. The provision of these facilities is an operational matter for health authorities. Samples are sent to specialist laboratories for measurement of alpha foetoprotein levels. The laboratory service is available to all parts of Wales. Termination of abnormal pregnancies may be done at any consultant gynaecological unit which performs terminations. There are 26 of these.