§ Sir Trevor SkeetTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is now in a position to announce when Government legislation will be introduced setting forth guidelines for the use of in vitro fertilisation and whether discussion is now being undertaken between his Department and the medical professions.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have made clear our intention to introduce legislation during this Parliament. Wide consultation with the medical profession and other interested bodies preceded the publication of the White Paper, "Human Fertilisation and Embryology: A Framework for Legislation" (Cm. 259) in November last year. Copies of the responses have been placed in the Library.
172WService hospitals in each year from 1979 to 1987 in each of the constituencies of Hendon South, Mid-Worcestershire, West Lancashire, Fylde, Staffordshire Moorlands and Amber Valley.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe information is not available centrally in precisely the form requested. Details of the number of available beds in the district health authorities wholly or mainly covering the parliamentary constituencies are given in the table. The hon. Member may wish to write to the chairmen of the district health authorities who may be able to provide the information relating to the parliamentary constituencies. For completeness, the numbers of in and day patients treated in each health authority are included.