§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are Her Majesty's Government's strategy and plans for combating perinatal mortality and stillbirths in Asian families.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have identified as a priority the funding of research into the causes of perinatal mortality and stillbirths, and have launched the Asian mother and baby project to encourage Asian families to make early and full use of the maternity services. However, health authorities have the prime responsibility for considering what steps to take to continue the downward trend in perinatal mortality, and we would expect their local maternity services liaison committees to see that clinical reviews are carried out, so that any special factors that appear to be associated with the stillbirth and perinatal mortality rate of particular groups of mothers, including Asian mothers, can be identified. We have commended the reports of our Maternity Services Advisory Committee to health authorities as important guidance on the development of good maternity services.