§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what representations he has received opposing the Medical Research Council's research trial on the effects of folic acid supplements in affecting the incidence of neural tube disorders in foetuses;
(2) whether mothers who have already been delivered of an infant suffering from a neural tube disorder are being excluded from the Medical Research Council's trial on the effect of folic acid supplements on the incidence of the disorder; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William Shelton:I have received a letter from the hon. Member for Halifax (Dr. Summerskill) enclosing a letter from a constituent questioning the use of placebo tablets in the trials and a letter from the hon. Member for Crewe (Mrs. Dunwoody) asking why it is necessary to conduct trials rather than to administer multivitamins freely to those who might benefit. In both cases I have replied explaining that scientifically reliable trials are considered necessary in order to be sure of the beneficial effects claimed in respect of the treatment and that the Medical Research Council will be conducting the proposed trials with due regard to ethical considerations.
I understand that a final decision about the launching of the trials has not yet been taken but that the intention is to recruit women who have had a recent termination of pregnancy following the diagnosis of a foetal neural tube defect. Women who have already been delivered of an infant with a neural tube defect diagnosed at birth are not specifically excluded; if the latter group plan a further pregnancy they will be eligible for entry into the proposed trial.