§ Mr. LathamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department's scientific and medical advisers have investigated the studies into electromagnetic wave theory and possible relationships with cot death syndrome; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanNeither this Department nor the National Radiological Protection Board, which has a responsibility to advise on hazards from electromagnetic fields, are aware of any authoritative, peer-reviewed studies that have demonstrated an association between sudden infant death syndrome and exposure to these fields at any frequency.
§ Mr. LathamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether he will list those research projects which are currently receiving Government funding and which examine the possible causes of cot death syndrome; and whether he will list the academic or medical institutions at which such research is taking place;
521W(2) what is the total sum of grant made available by his Department for research into the causes of cot death syndrome in the current financial year; and what is the projected sum for the financial year 1989–90.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Medical Research Council is the main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research in the United Kingdom. The MRC receives its grant-in-aid from the Department of Education and Science. I understand that in 1987–88, the latest financial year for which figures are available, the MRC spent approximately £83,000 on research into sudden infant death syndrome. The following list shows the current research supported by this money.
a. Clinical Research Centre—Division of Clinical Sciences, Harrow, Middlesex.Project Title: Arterial oxygen saturation monitoring for respiratory disease, heart failure, cot death, anaesthesia.(ii) Grant Holders in University Departments
a. Professor V. Duhowntz, Department of Paediatric and Neonatal Medicine, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London.Project Title: Continuous 4 channel EEg monitoring in the high risk neonate.b.Professor J. K. Stothers, Department of Paediatrics, London Hospital Medical College, London.Project Title: An investigation into the incidence and clinical significance of obstructive apnoea in children.c. Professor A. D. Milner, Department of Child Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham.Project Title: Apnoea bardycardia and high frequency oscillation in the neonatal period.d. Professor P. J. Watt, Department of Microbiology, University of Southampton.Project Title: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Polypeptides: age-related antibody responses and the significance of material IGC.In the same year, the council made available a further £322,000 for other research which may contribute to the understanding of the sudden infant death syndrome.