§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the contribution of prescribing practice and limitation to the change of life expectancy and infant mortality.
§ Dr. MawhinneyLife expectancy has improved steadily and the rate of infant mortality has improved markedly over the past 10 years. Prescribing is only one part of clinical care; increased health screening, promotion and vaccination and the availability of new medicines will all have contributed to these improvements.