§ Mr. MandelsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what work the Medical Research Council is undertaking into the clusters of babies born with limb defects as described in the Department's press release of 11 February; which local health authorities are undertaking investigations of their own; and when she expects the results of these inquiries.
§ Mr. SackvilleI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 28 January,Official Report, column 418.
In response to some reports of unusual occurrences in babies born with limb defects, local investigations and detailed case determination are taking place in the Northern regional health authority area; the Isle of Wight; Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly; and in Hastings. The results of these investigations should be known in a matter of weeks.
In addition, progress is being made on the initial analysis by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys of limb reduction defects to scrutinise the geographical pattern. To provide further, more detailed, information on the national perspective, I have asked the expert steering group of the small area health statistics unit—SAHSU—to examine the feasibility of a SAHSU study to look in more detail at the geographical distribution of limb reduction defects and to report as soon as possible.
§ Mr. MandelsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will reply to the hon. Member for Hartlepool's letter to her of 3 February, concerning clusters of babies born with limb defects.
§ Mr. SackvilleI replied to the hon. Member's letter today.