HC Deb 05 November 1991 vol 198 cc108-9W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the recommendation to mothers on whether to lie babies down to sleep on back, front or side in the "Pregnancy Book" issued to all mothers(a) in the version issued in 1990, (b) as revised in 1991, (c) as reprinted in 1991 and (d) as intended now; and how many copies of it were printed for distribution;

(2) what steps he is taking to inform health care professionals, doctors, midwives, and maternity homes of how to advise mothers on avoiding cot deaths;

(3) when his Department was informed about the New Zealand research and the factors associated with cot deaths; what steps he then took to assess that research; and what other action was taken.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

I shall let the hon. Member have such information as is available as soon as possible.