§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action his Department is taking to 242W implement the recommendations of the Leeds castle declaration on the prevention of disablement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossiPrevention is a primary object of the Government's policies, and I refer the right hon. Gentleman to my reply to the hon. Member for Welwyn and Hatfield (Mr. Murphy) on 17 November—[Vol. 32, c.198.]
Encouraging progress is being made in a number of ways. One example is the increase in the incidence of vaccination for rubella and polio. Over the past two years there has been a decrease in perinatal mortality. We continue to promote a wide range of prevention initiatives including measures aimed at reducing smoking and the incidence of coronary heart disease, and at increasing the quality and availability of scientific information on diet.