§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what communication she had with the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill regarding the publication of Professor La Fontaine's report on ritual abuse; when this communication took place; when the report was made available to the Press; and if she will make a statement;
(2) what is her timetable for the publication of Professor Jean La Fontaine's report on ritual abuse; and if she will make a statement;
(3) what considerations led to the selection of an anthropologist to produce a report on ritual abuse; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. BowisA report of the main findings of Professor La Fontaine's survey into the extent and nature of organised and ritual abuse will be published shortly. Publication of her full academic book is expected in the autumn.
Professor La Fontaine's application was one of a number received. It was selected on the basis of scientific merit in the normal way, through independent anonymised peer review and consideration by the Department of Health child care research liaison group, which includes a number of independent academic and social service advisers.
Professor La Fontaine's report has not been made available to the press. Communication on this issue was by parliamentary question and answer, and I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 29 March at column 690.