§ Mrs. CurrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what advice is now given to parents on the avoidance of cot deaths; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what progress is being made in reducing the incidence of cot deaths.
§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomley[pursuant to her reply, 15 November 1991, c. 681–82]: To reinforce the advice on reducing the risk of cot deaths which has already been sent to all doctors, midwives, health visitors and other professionals concerned with the care of young babies, the Government are arranging an information campaign aimed directly at mothers and others who care for young babies. This will be led by advertising next month in the national and specialist press which invites people to obtain a leaflet setting out the main steps to be taken to reduce the risk of cot deaths. This leaflet—also available in ethnic languages—will in addition be widely distributed, for instance to doctors' surgeries, maternity units and public libraries. The intention is that the leaflet can be retained for reference by families with young babies.