HC Deb 01 February 1996 vol 270 cc924-5W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implementation of guidelines laid down by the Human Fertilisation and Embryo Authority; and if he will make a statement. [13011]

Mr. Horam

I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Sackville) gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley) on 19 October 1995,Official Report, column 367. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is required to maintain a code of practice about the proper conduct of licensed activities. The current code was laid before the House on 14 December 1995.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the viability of human embryos following freezing. [13009]

Mr. Horam

I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill (Mr. Alton) on 26 January,Official Report, column 415. The Department of Health has not commissioned such research.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many inspections have been carried out on licensed in vitro fertilisation centres in the last two years; and if all such centres have been inspected in that period. [13010]

Mr. Horam

Between 30 January 1994 and 30 January 1996 the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority made 256 inspections of licensed IVF centres. All such centres were inspected during that period.