§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will lay down criteria for the selection of patients for National Health Service in vitro fertilisation treatment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThis is one of the matters being considered by the inquiry into human fertilisation and embrology under the chairmanship of Dame Mary Warnock. The inquiry's report is expected this summer.
§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to secure private funding for National Health Service programmes of in vitro fertilisation treatment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe always welcome co-operation between the NHS and the private sector as a means of making the most cost-effective use of the total health care resources available. We will need to consider the best arrangements for the general development of services in the light of the findings of the Warnock inquiry which will be reporting shortly on the social, legal and ethical implications of the new techniques for alleviating infertility.
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§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the hospitals at which in-vitro fertilisation is offered on the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI am checking the information held centrally and will write to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many people, by health authority area, have received treatment for infertility involving in vitro fertilisation in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.
(2) how many people, by health authority area, are currently receiving treatment for infertility involving in-vitro fertilisation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThis information is not available centrally.