HC Deb 26 January 1996 vol 270 cc417-8W
Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what scientific research has been commissioned by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority concerning the freezing of human embryos; when the research was commissioned and published; and if he will list the actual and expected dates of completion and publication. [12160]

Mr. Horam

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has no powers to commission research. The authority's report to United Kingdom Health Ministers on the statutory storage period for embryos refers, at paragraphs 24 to 25, to work done to review current scientific knowledge.

Copies of the report are available in the Library.

Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of the research material considered by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in relation to its report on the statutory storage period for human embryos. [12158]

Mr. Horam

I have placed in the Library a copy of a bibliography, supplied by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, which was prepared by its working group on embryo freezing.

Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's responses given by clinics to the Authority's Survey to questions concerning the freezing of human embryos. [12159]

Mr. Horam

I shall be writing to the hon. Member following my meeting with him on 24 January 1996.