§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her Department's assessment of the relative merits of breast feeding and baby milk products; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleBased on medical advice, the Government have consistently supported breastfeeding as the best means of feeding a baby. Where a mother is either unable or chooses not to breastfeed, there is a range of suitable infant formulae available.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce measures to implement the World Health Organisation's code of marketing in relation to baby milk products.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations 1995 on the composition, labelling and marketing of these products were laid before Parliament on 16 January 1995 and will come into force872W of (a) practice managers and (b) general practitioners in the London implementation zone; and how many there were in September 1990.
§ Mr. MaloneI refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Dulwich (Ms Jowell) on 6 December 1994, column198.
Information on the number of practice managers is not available centrally.
§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the percentage increase in treatments in casualty departments within the London implementation zone area over the past three years; what plans she has to reduce the number of casualty departments; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaloneThe increase in attendances at accident and emergency departments in Greater London over the years 1991–92 to 1993–94 was 2.1 per cent. Health authorities are responsible for planning future demand for casualty facilities.