§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health 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.
§ Mr. Virginia Bottomley[holding answer 5 November 1991]: The Department was first informed about the findings of New Zealand research through letters published in The Lancet in July this year. This correspondence indicated that a change in certain of the factors associated with cot death had been accompanied by a reduction in the incidence of cot death. Over the next few months, further information was sought. Four reports, including one from this country not yet published, showed that a reduction in the prone sleeping position of infants had been accompanied by a fall in the incidence of cot death.
I announced on 21 October at column 423 the setting up of an expert group to report to the chief medical officer its findings and recommendations about this latest available evidence. The group's advice was published on 31 October.