§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to facilitate the establishment of screening and counselling services for foetal and genetic abnormality in districts where they are currently unavailable.
§ Mrs. Currie[holding answer 7 March 1988]: Health authorities received some guidance on screening services in the maternity services advisory committee's reports. The decision on whether to offer screening and referral for specialist genetic advice is a matter for the clinician. In the light of recent developments of DNA techniques in diagnosis we are at present considering how genetic services which include counselling can best be provided within the NHS.