§ 23. Mr. Abseasked the Secretary of State for Wales when the present investigation into the significantly higher rate of children born with congenital disabilities in Torfaen will be completed; whether the investigation includes a survey of the statistics of early termination of pregnancies prompted by detection of abnormality; and whether he will present the results of the investigation to a public inquiry set up to review the environmental hazards caused by the burning of poly-chlorinated biphenyls at the Re-chem International factory.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsNone of the evidence at present available substantiates the suggestion that the operation of the Re-chem plant creates environmental hazards or harm to health. The figures so far published for congenital malformations at birth among babies in Torfaen are comparable with rates for the rest of Wales, although the rate for Gwent as a whole is lower than both. The Department is examining in greater detail the incidence of the most serious abnormalities in Gwent and elsewhere so as to put the Torfaen figures into their context. This work will inevitably take time but is being given priority, and the results will be published. Meanwhile, the position is being continuously kept under review, and, should the need for additional work be indicated at any time, it will be done.